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Integrated Crop Management
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Bull thistle

Bull thistle - Cirsium vulgare (Savi.) Tenore

Family: Asteraceae (Composite family)
Life cycle: Biennial
Native status: Introduced
Habitat: Pastures, roadsides, prairies

General description: First-year plants form a basal rosette up to 2 ft wide. Mature leaves are deeply lobed with spine-tipped lobes, lobes less prominent on young plants. Leaves are densely pubescent. In the second year flower stalk elongates up to 5 ft tall; numerous pink to purple flower heads up to 2 in wide; the head is surrounded by sharp bracts.

Key ID traits: Individual lobes are narrow and tipped with a prominent, sharp spine. Leaves hairy on both sides

Similar species: Musk and tall thistle are the primary biennial thistles in Iowa. While both produce basal rosettes, leaf characteristics are sufficiently different to simplify ID. Deep lobes and pubescence distinguish bull thistle leaves from musk thistle. Field thistle, a native prairie plant, has deeply lobed leaves that are not as pubescent as bull thistle, and the undersides of field thistle leaves are lighter colored than the upper surface. Field thistle flowers in August/September, whereas bull thistle flowers in June. Flower heads of bull thistle are smaller than those of the musk thistle.

Weed ID Factsheet Index

Bull thistle basal rosette
Bull thistle basal rosette, the first several leaves are not as deeply lobed as the leaves that develop later.

 

Bull thistle mature leaves
Mature leaves have large, pointed lobes with sharp spines projecting from the lobe tips.
underside of bull thistle
The underside of bull thistle leaves are similar in color to the top, this is a key trait to differentiate from field and tall thistle, two native thistle species in Iowa. The native thistles have 'whitish' undersides on their leaves.
light colored underside of bull thistle
Light-colored underside of tall thistle, a native thistle species that rarely reaches densities of concern.
Erect growth habit of bull thistle
Erect growth habit of bull thistle.
flowerheads
Flowerheads are approximately 1.5" in length, bracts at base of head are pubescent.
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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