Cirsium vulgare
Family :
Famille :
Asteraceae
Synonym(s) :
Synonyme(s) :
Carduus vulgaris Savi (FNA 1993+; USDA-ARS 2024)
Carduus lanceolatus L. (FNA 1993+; USDA-ARS 2024)
Cirsium lanceolatum (L.) Scop. (CABI 2024; USDA-ARS 2024)
Common Name(s) :
Nom(s) commun(s) :
Bull thistle
(English) (Darbyshire 2003; CABI 2024; USDA-ARS 2024)
Boar thistle (English) (Wiersema & León 2016; USDA-ARS 2024)
Scottish thistle (English) (Wiersema & León 2016; USDA-ARS 2024)
Chardon vulgaire (French) (Darbyshire 2003; Wiersema & León 2016)
翼蓟 yi ji (Chinese) (FOC 1994+; Wiersema & León 2016)
Gewöhnliche Kratzdistel (German) (Wiersema & León 2016; USDA-ARS 2024)
Cardo lanceolado (Spanish) (CABI 2024)
Cardo-de-costela (Portuguese) (Wiersema & León 2016; USDA-ARS 2024)
Cirsium vulgare achenes
Cirsium vulgare achenes
Cirsium vulgare achenes, two views
Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) achenes
Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) achene
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Overview
Aperçu
Regulation :
Remarques Réglementation:
- USA Federal Noxious Weed Seed List
Regulation Notes:
USA state noxious weed: CA, CO, FL, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA. Noxious weed in Australia.
Distribution :
Répartition :
Cirsium vulgare is native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, generally in areas with cultivated land and a temperate climate (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; Holm et al. 1997; USDA-ARS 2024). It has been introduced to North America, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Arabian Peninsula and eastern to southern Africa (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; USDA-ARS 2024).
In Canada, it has been introduced throughout, excluding Labrador, Nunavut, Yukon and there are unconfirmed reports in the Northwest Territories (Brouillet et al. 2010+). It was introduced in the USA in colonial times (Zouhar 2002) and is now found in every continental US state, as well as Alaska and Hawaii (USDA 2024).
Habitat and Crop Association :
Habitat et Cultures Associées :
Cirsium vulgare thrives in nitrogen-rich, neutral soils with moderate moisture (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993) and can grow in a wide variety of habitats, especially disturbed sites, waste places, pastures, meadows, forest openings, ditches, and roadsides (FNA 1993+; Zouhar 2002).
It is a problematic weed in crops such as: Triticum aestivum subsp. aestivum (wheat), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Avena sativa (oats), Zea mays subsp. mays (maize), Medicago sativa (lucerne), Gossypium hirsutum (cotton), Linum usitatissimum (flax), Brassica species (rapeseed), orchards and vineyards (Holm et al. 1997).
C. vulgare is a weed of pastures in 19 countries, preferring nitrogen-rich soils and repeated grazing (Holm et al. 1997; Zouhar 2002), and is associated with intensive cattle operations in the United States (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993). With unpalatable, spiny leaves, the species expands rapidly in heavily grazed pasture land, able to form dense stands that can reduce productivity and stocking levels (Zouhar 2002). It is also abundant in forest clear-cuts in the United States and can reduce seedling establishment of more desirable forest species (Zouhar 2002).
Economic Use, cultivation area, and Weed Association :
Utilisation économique, zone de culture et association de mauvaises herbes :
General Information
RENSEIGNEMENTS GÉNÉRAUX
C. vulgare flowers can both self- and cross-pollinate, although cross-pollination is required for fertile achenes (Michaux 1989). It is estimated each flower head can produce 100-400 achenes (Michaux 1989; Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; Holm et al. 1997). Total seed production range was estimated at 2000-8400, with a mean of 4000 seeds per plant (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993).
Mature achenes may or may not retain their pappus, and 90% were found to passively fall a few meters from the parent plant (Klinkhamer et al. 1988). Only a few achenes are wind-dispersed out of the local population (Klinkhamer et al. 1988; Mitich 1998). The main dispersal mechanisms are water, vehicles, farm machinery, mud on animals, manure, baled hay and contaminated seed (Holm et al. 1997; Mitich 1998).
The shed achenes that remain at the surface of the soil or just beneath germinate without apparent dormancy (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; Holm et al. 1997). Seed viability is generally high, between 60 – 90% (Zouhar 2002). Late-season and buried achenes are dormant, and depend on increased temperatures and light exposure for germination to occur (Doucet and Cavers 1997; Zouhar 2002). This mechanism can create a bank of viable seeds for up to 5 years in soil, or up to 8 years in dry storage (Mitich 1988; Holm et al 1997). Seeds have been found in inter- and post-glacial deposits in the British Isles (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993).
All parts of the plant are edible, and have reported medicinal uses, including using boiled leaves or plants as a diuretic to help the liver, treat rheumatism, and heal bleeding piles (SANBI 2017). The roots are said to help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, and oil from the seeds has been used in cooking and lamp fuel (SANBI 2017).
The Tsalagihi Ayeli (Cherokee), Lenape (Delaware), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) First Nations used C. vulgare for rheumatism, muscle pain, hemorrhoids, and to make other medicines more palatable (NAEB-BRIT 2024). The Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) would eat the roots fresh or dried (NAEB-BRIT 2024).
Cirsium vulgare hosts numerous invertebrate species within the native range (BRC 2024). It also has value to wildlife outside of the native range, attracting pollinators with abundant nectar production (KC Weeds 2021). Birds and small animals will eat the achenes and use the pappus as nesting material (KC Weeds 2021).
.
Cirsium vulgare infestation in an old field near Pontiac, Illinois, USA. Photo by Lyrae Willis.
Identification
Identification
-
Achene
Size
- Achene size from literature:
• length: 3-4 mm (Klinkhamer et al. 1988)
• length: 3-5 mm; width: 1-5 mm (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993)
• length: 3-4.5 mm (FNA 1993+)
• length: up to 4 mm; width: 1.6 mm (Holm et al. 1997)
• length: up to 4 mm (Mitich 1998)
• length: 2.8-3.2 mm; width: 1.1-1.4 mm (Bojňanský and Fargašová 2007)
• Pappus length: 20-30 mm (FNA 1993+; Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993)
Shape
- Elongated oval or oblong with an oblique truncate end, slightly curved along longitudinal axis
- Thick, peg-like style remnant at the truncate end
- Achenes are compressed, with four longitudinal ridges
- Pappus feathery with fine side hairs (plumose)
Surface Texture
- Surface smooth
Colour
- Seeds are generally light brown with purplish streaks, but can be yellowish, greyish-brown, or rarely black coloured
- The collar around the style remnant is not streaked and is generally straw-coloured
- Pappus hairs are white
Other Features
- Pappus remains attached at maturity, but can be removed during seed processing (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993).
Cirsium vulgare achenes
-
Seed
Size
- Seed length similar to achene length
Shape
- Seed is oblong, truncate at one end
Surface Texture
- Seed is smooth
Colour
- Seed is yellow coloured
Other Features
- A thin, translucent, flexible seed coat surrounds the seed
-
Embryo
Size
- Embryo fills the seed
Shape
- Embryo is spatulate (Martin 1946)
Endosperm
- Nutritive tissue stored in the cotyledons
Other Features
- Cotyledons are oily and soft-textured
- Embryo position axial (Martin 1946)
Identification Tips
CONSEILS POUR L’IDENTIFICATION
Cirsium contains about 250 species, with native species originating in Europe, Asia and North America (Mitich 1998). Cirsium achenes are generally oblong shaped with a truncate end that has a peg-like style remnant and a raised collar or rim around it. The feather-like (plumose) pappus on the achenes differentiates this genus from the similar Carduus, with a bristle pappus (FNA 1993+). C. vulgare achenes are distinguished by a smooth surface with purplish, blackish or reddish longitudinal streaks.
Cirsium vulgare achenes, two views
Additional Botany Information
AUTRES RENSEIGNEMENTS BOTANIQUES
Flowers/Inflorescence
- Flower heads are few to many in mostly unbranched arrays on 1-6 cm long stalks (peduncles) (FNA 1993+).
- Flower head cup or urn-shaped, length: up to 5 cm; diameter: 2.5 – 5 cm (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; Mitich 1998)
- Flower heads are few to many on mostly unbranched arrays on 1-6 cm long stalks (peduncles) (FNA 1993+)
- Flower head cup or urn-shaped, length: up to 5 cm; diameter: 2.5 – 5 cm (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993; Mitich 1998)
- Involucres rounded to bell-shaped, 3–4 by 2–4 cm, woolly-hairy, with 10-12 rows of strongly overlapping bracts (FNA 1993+)
- Outer and middle involucral bracts are between linear and elongated teardrop shaped, each with 2-5 mm long, greenish spines that are straw-coloured at the tip. Inner bracts are linear, flat, and minutely toothed (FNA 1993+)
- Flower head composed of numerous purple, reddish purple or rarely white disc florets 25-35 mm long (FNA 1993+), occasionally pink is seen.
- Style tips are 3.5-6mm long (FNA 1993+)
- Style tips are 3.5-6mm long (FNA 1993+).
Vegetative Features
- Plant height is 30-200(-300) cm tall (FNA 1993+)
- The first year the plant grows as a spreading rosette of leaves with a single taproot reaching 70 cm deep (Klinkhamer and de Jong 1993)
- In the second year, a 1-2(-3) m tall spiny-winged stem is produced (FNA 1993+; Mitich 1998)
- Stems are erect or ascending with one to many ascending branches, covered with long, soft hairs (villous) (FNA 1993+)
- Leaves are 15-40 cm long; 6-15 cm wide (FNA 1993+), oblong and tear-shaped or egg-shaped but narrowest at the base, pinnately lobed with spreading triangular to elongate teardrop-shaped lobes that are generally spiny-toothed but may be entire (FNA 1993+).
- Upper sides green and lower sides grey woolly-haired (FNA 1993+; Mitich 1998)
- Petioles are winged and have tapered bases, becoming reduced towards the branch tips (FNA 1993+)
- Cirsium vulgare can be distinguished from other thistles in North America by its bristle-like spines on the upper leaf surfaces (FNA 1993+) that are not seen in other thistles
Cirsium vulgare flower head closeup showing purple corolla of disk flowers and bell-shaped involucre (collection of bracts) below tih with spiny-tipped spreading bracts. Photo from Plymouth, Indiana, USA by Lyrae Willis.
Similar Species
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Similar species are based on a study of seed morphology of various species, and those with similar dispersal units are identified. The study is limited by physical specimen and literature availability at the time of examination, and possibly impacted by the subjectivity of the authors based on their knowledge and experience. Providing similar species information for seed identification is to make users aware of similarities that could possibly result in misidentification.
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop
Cirsium arvense is a ubiquitous, problematic field and pasture weed found in similar regions as C. vulgare. C. arvense achenes (length*: 2.9-4.6 mm; width: 0.9-1.8 mm) are a similar size to C. vulgare. C. arvensis achenes have a fibrous surface texture and are generally yellowish-brown coloured, and C. vulgare achenes are generally light brown with purplish streaks.
Carduus nutans L.
Carduus nutans is an aggressive weed species native to Europe and Asia, found in pastures, rangelands and disturbed areas (FNA 1993+). C. nutans achenes can be a similar size as C. vulgare (length*: 2.3 – 3.7 mm; width 0.9 – 1.5 mm). C. nutans achenes have a smooth, varnish-like surface with darker striations and transverse stripes, while the achenes of C. vulgare have a smooth surface with longitudinal purplish streaks.
Achenes of C. nutans have a pappus with simple hairs and C. vulgare has feather-like hairs.
*Note: minimum and maximum of 10 achenes in a normal range of this species using image measurement (ISMA 2020)
Click to select species
Cliquez pour sélectionner les espèces
Cirsium arvense
Carduus nutans
Comparison Window
Fenêtre de comparaison
MAIN SPECIES
ESPÈCES PRINCIPALES
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium vulgare
Asteraceae
Cirsium vulgare achenes
MAIN SPECIES
ESPÈCES PRINCIPALES
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium vulgare
Asteraceae
Cirsium vulgare achenes, two views
MAIN SPECIES
ESPÈCES PRINCIPALES
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium vulgare
Asteraceae
Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) achenes
MAIN SPECIES
ESPÈCES PRINCIPALES
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium vulgare
Asteraceae
Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) achene
SIMILAR SPECIES
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); achenes
SIMILAR SPECIES
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); deformed achenes
SIMILAR SPECIES
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); achene
SIMILAR SPECIES
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) achene, top-down view
SIMILAR SPECIES
ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) top of achene
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Reference(s)
Référence(s)
Biological Records Centre (BRC) – Database of Insects and their Food Plants. Cirsium vulgare. https://dbif.brc.ac.uk/hostsresults.aspx?hostid=1433 Accessed March 5, 2024.
Bojňanský, V. and Fargašová, A. 2007. Atlas of Seeds and Fruits of Central and East-European Flora: The Carpathian Mountains Region. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 1046 pp.
Brouillet, L., Coursol, F., Meades, S. J., Favreau, M., Anions, M., Bélisle, P. and Desmet, P. 2010+. VASCAN, the database of vascular plants of Canada. http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/ Accessed March 05, 2024.
Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). 2024. Invasive Species Compendium, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/journal/cabicompendium Accessed July 24, 2024.
Darbyshire, S. J. 2003. Inventory of Canadian Agricultural Weeds. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch. Ottawa, ON.
Doucet, C. and Cavers, P.B. 1997. Induced dormancy and colour polymorphism in seeds of the bull thistle Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Seed Science Research 7: 399-407.
Flora of China (FOC) 1994+. Cirsium vulgare Vol. 20 – 21 Page 165 (English edition). http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200023702 Accessed July 24, 2024.
Flora of North America (FNA) Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico [Online]. 22+ vols. New York and Oxford. http://beta.floranorthamerica.org. Accessed March 5, 2024.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Secretariat. 2024. Amaranthus L. in. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei via GBIF.org Accessed March 5, 2024.
Heap, I. The International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database. Online.. Available www.weedscience.org Accessed March 5, 2024.
Holm, L.G., Plucknett, D.L., Pancho, J.V. and Herberger, J.P. 1997. World Weeds: Distribution and Biology. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida. 609 pp.
King Country Noxious Weeds News (KC Weeds) 2021. Bull thistle – February 2021 Weed of the Month. https://kingcountyweeds.com/2021/02/19/bull-thistle-february-2021-weed-of-the-month/ Accessed March 5, 2024.
Klinkhamer, P.G.L. and de Jong T.J. 1993. Flora of the British Isles: Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Journal of Ecology 81:177-191.
Klinkhamer, P.G.L, De Jong. T.J. and Van Der Meijden, E. 1988. Production, dispersal and predation of seeds in the biennial Cirsium vulgare. Journal of Ecology 76: 403-414.
Martin, A.C. 1946. The Comparative Internal Morphology of Seeds. The American Midland Naturalist, 36: 513-660.
Michaux, B. 1989. Reproductive and vegetative biology of Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (Compositae: Cynareae), New Zealand Journal of Botany, 27: 401-414.
Mitich, L.W. Bull Thistle, Cirsium vulgare. Weed Technology. 12:761-763.
Native American Ethnobotany Database (NAEB-BRIT) 2024. Cirsium vulgare. http://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/975/. Accessed March 5, 2024.
South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa (SANBI), 2024. Cirsium vulgare | PlantZAfrica. https://pza.sanbi.org/cirsium-vulgare Accessed March 5, 2024.
Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. 2016. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/
U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Services (USDA-ARS). 2024. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch Accessed February 26, 2024.
Wiersema, John, H. and Blanca León. 2016. World Economic Plants. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (2nd Edition). Taylor & Francis.
Zouhar, K. 2002. Cirsium vulgare. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/cirvul/all.html Accessed March 5, 2024.