Cirsium arvense

Creeping Thistle

Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle. Invasive on agricultural land, but an exceptional food source for many insects. Often colonises land that has fallen out of cultivation. Tall with spiny leaves and purple flowers in summer.


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Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle
Flowers and leaves
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Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle
Thistle with Small White
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Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle
Seeds
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Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle
Tall thistles

Photograph detail


Slide 1: Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle. Flowers with spiny leaves. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.


Slide 2: Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle. Small White Butterfly, Pieris rapae nectar feeding. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.


Slide 3: Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle. Developing seed heads. West Wood, Redmire. July.


Slide 4: Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle. Spread of very tall thistles. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.