Spear Thistle

Highly prevalent and often abundant on disrupted terrain, grasslands, and roadsides. Blooms from June to October. A biennial plant native to the region.

Identification

The plant boasts deep purple flowers arranged in upright globular flower-heads, surrounded by prickly green outer bracts. Its deeply pinnate leaves feature wavy margins and terminate in sharp prickles, while their undersides are cottony white and the upper surfaces are rough, almost prickly. Sturdy, upright stems bear spiny wings and can reach heights between 70 and 150cm.

More information at https://www.irishwildflowers.ie/pages/167a.html