Marsh Thistle

Commonly found in moist soil within grasslands, woodlands, along roadsides, and hedge banks. Flowering period: June to September. Biennial. Indigenous.

Identification

The flower-heads are deep purple or occasionally white, with erect bracts tipped in black or purple. Their seed pappus consists of long, feathery hairs. The dark green leaves, often tinged with purple, are deeply pinnate, cottony below, and hairy above. They have toothed lobes with very prickly margins. The stem is erect, hairy, and adorned with spine-tipped wings. Height can reach up to 130 cm.

More details can be found at https://www.irishwildflowers.ie/pages/166a.html.