Flower ID: IMG_0852.JPG-06-25-2017 Flower name (scientific): Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore PY: 1835-36. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) SIR-see-um vul-GAIR-ee Flower name (common): Bull Thistle Family name (common): Aster (Daisy) Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek kirsion, for a type of thistle. Specific epithet: Latin for common. Common name origin: Thistle has been used for at least 1300 years (with different spellings) for various prickly herbaceous plants. The reason for bull is obscure. The term was used in the 1800's, and possibly alludes to the presence of Bull Thistle growing in pastures where bulls were kept. Flower description: Size: 1.5 to 2.0 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) wide. Petal count: Many disc flowers, ray flowers absent. Color: Purple (or pinkish-purple). Other: Bracts have spiny tips. Plant description: Size: 24 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) tall. Stem hairy: pubescent, villous. Upper stem has spiny wings. Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Leaves typically to 15 cm long and 5 cm wide, but can reach up to 40 cm long and 15 cm wide. Color: Upper surface medium green, lower surface gray-green. Hairy: upper surface has short stiff bristles, rough to the touch, lower surface densely covered in soft hairs (tomentose). Other: Shape: leaf, oblong-lanceolate to obovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced - naturalized, ecologically invasive. Restricted invasive species in Wisconsin. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas, prairies, fields, sun. Fruit: Pappus (tuft of white hairs) about 20 to 30 mm in size, attached as an appendage to a seed. The hairs aid in seed dispersal in the wind. Seed: Brown colored, and about 3 to 4.5 mm in length. Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): The spiny stems help distinguish this invasive species from the native thistle lookalikes such as Cirsium discolor, Cirsium altissimum, and others. Ethnobotany: The Potawatomi chewed the fresh centers when taking more unpleasant tasting medicines (Smith, p. 47, 1933). The Ojibwa used the plant to treat stomach cramps (Smith, p. 364, 1932). The Meskwaki utilized this plant for medical purposes (Smith, p. 213, 1928). Smith gives the plant name as Cirsium lanceolatum, which is an old synonym name for Cirsium dissectum, a species native to parts of Europe and not reported as present in the US. So it appears Smith has not correctly identified the plant, though he does use the correct vernacular name. Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Carduus vulgaris Savi Fl. Pis. 2: 241. 1798. Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 3 homotypic synonyms for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): na Autonym:Cirsium vulgare subsp. vulgare (The other infraspecific species are Cirsium vulgare subsp. crinitum (Boiss. ex DC.) Arènes, Cirsium vulgare var. litorale P. D. Sell, Cirsium vulgare subsp. silvaticum (Tausch) Arènes. None of these other infraspecific species have been recorded in North America.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU