Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Bull Thistle (Common Thistle)
Cirsium vulgare
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August - September

The non-native (European) Bull Thistle is common (unfortunately) in our area. It is an invasive that frequents meadows, pastures and waysides and keeps trying to move in to our natural areas. It is a biennial that forms a rosette of leaves during the 1st year, and bolts upward in the 2nd year with stout stems, somewhat angular, and covered with dense white hairs. The alternate leaves are up to 7" long and 2" across. The upper stems terminate in flowerheads of purplish pink to purple flowers about 1½–2" across with a showy hair-like appearance.

Bull Thistle at Maramech Forest Preserve August 14, 2013

Bull Thistle at Richard Young Forest Preserve July 29, 2012

Bull Thistle stem at Maramech Forest Preserve August 14, 2013

Bull Thistle lower foliage at Hoover Forest Preserve September 16, 2014

Black Swallowtail on Bull Thistle at Hoover Forest Preserve August 31, 2013

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