Black thistle (Cirsium vulgare, Fl. Napol. 5: 209)

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Savi) Ten.

Bibliography: Fl. Napol. 5: 209

Year: 2006

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cirsium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Arabian Pen., NW. Africa

Description

Black thistle, scientifically known as Cirsium vulgare, is a plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family. This species is extensively distributed, spanning across Europe, extending to Siberia, the Arabian Peninsula, and reaching into Northwestern Africa.

The Black thistle is characterized by its robust and spiny structure, making it a notable and often easily recognizable member of its family. With its deep green, lobed leaves that are spiked with sharp thorns, and its distinctive purple flower heads, Cirsium vulgare stands out in its natural habitats.

This plant has adapted to thrive in various environments, from open fields to roadside verges and disturbed grounds. Its capacity to spread and grow in different conditions contributes to its wide geographical range. The species has been a subject of botanical studies, evidenced by its mention in classical literature such as “Flora Napolitana” (volume 5, page 209).

Cirsium vulgare plays a role in local ecosystems where it occurs, providing resources for pollinators like bees. However, it can also become an invasive species in some regions, outcompeting native flora and altering habitats. Its presence and impact are therefore dual-faceted—ecologically beneficial in its native range but potentially problematic elsewhere.

Whether viewed as an invasive weed or a striking wildflower, the Black thistle remains an intriguing plant worthy of study and observation in its wide array of habitats across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Common Names

Eng: black thistle, boar thistle, bull thistle, common thistle, green thistle, scotch thistle, scottish thistle, spear thistle
Spa: cardo borriquero, cardo, cardo-borriquero, cardo-común, cardo-negro, cardo-silvestre, cardo-vulgar
Nor: fuglestjerne, russeblåstjerne, tyrkarblåstjerne, vårpryd, grantistel, spærtistel, tørtistel, vejtistel
Deu: gewöhnliche kratzdistel, lanzett-kratzdistel, lanzettblättrige kratzdistel
Dan: horse-tidsel, kost-fuglemælk, russisk skilla, tobladet skilla
Fin: idänsinililja, sarjatähdikki, piikkiohdake
Swe: morgonstjärna, porslinshyacint, rysk blåstjärna, snökrokus, tidig vårstjärna, piikkiohdake, vägtistel
Afr: skotse dissel, speerdissel
Por: cardo, cardo-de-costela, cardo-negro
Fra: chardon lancéolé, chardon vulgaire, cirse commun, gros chardon, piqueux
Ces: pchá
Nld: speerdistel
Nno: vegtistel
Nob: veitistel
Sme: luoddabiššan
Cym: march ysgall, march ysgallen, marchysgall, marchysgall berog
En: Black thistle, Scotch thistle, Scottish thistle, Bull thistle, Boar thistle, Common thistle, Green thistle, Spear thistle
Af: Skotse dissel, Speerdissel, Doringdissel
Ar: قصوان شائع
Hy: Տատասկ սովորական
Az: Adi qanqal
Eu: Astakardo
Be: Бадзяк звычайны
Bg: Обикновена паламида
Ca: Lloba-carda, Lloba-carda vulgar
Zh: Yi ji, 翼蓟
Kw: Marghaskall
Cs: Pcháč obecný, Pchá
Da: Horse-Tidsel, Kost-Fuglemælk, Russisk Skilla, Tobladet skilla
Nl: Speerdistel
Et: Tuliohakas
Fi: Piikkiohdake, Idänsinililja, Sarjatähdikki
Fr: Chardon lancéolé, Chardon vulgaire, Piqueux, Gros chardon, Chardon, Chardon anglais, Cirse, Cirse vulgaire, Pet d’âne, Piquants pepiques, Piqueux chardon, Cirse commun, Circe commun, Circe vulgaire, Cirse à feuilles lancéolées, Cirse lancéolé
De: Lanzett-Kratzdistel, Gewöhnliche Kratzdistel, Lanzettblättrige Kratzdistel, Gemeine Kratzdistel
Hu: Közönséges aszat
Ga: Feochadán colgach
It: Cardo crespo, Cardo asinino
Lt: Dygioji usnis
Mk: Обична паламида
Ml: സിർസിയം വൾഗറെ
Mi: Pūngitangita, Pūnitanita
Nv: Azeeʼ hókániitsoh
Se: Luoddabiššan
No: Vegtistel, Veitistel, Fuglestjerne, Russeblåstjerne, Tyrkarblåstjerne, Vårpryd, Grantistel, Spærtistel, Tørtistel, Vejtistel
Nb: Veitistel
Nn: Vegtistel
Fa: کنگر
Pl: Ostrożeń lancetowaty
Pt: Cardo, Cardo-de-costela, Cardo-negro
Pt-br: Cardo, Cardo-de-costela, Cardo-negro
Ru: Бодяк обыкновенный
Sk: Pichliač obyčajný
Es: Cardo borriquero, Cardo, Cardo-borriquero, Cardo-común, Cardo-negro, Cardo-silvestre, Cardo-vulgar
Sv: Vägtistel, Morgonstjärna, Porslinshyacint, Rysk blåstjärna, Snökrokus, Tidig vårstjärna, Piikkiohdake
Zh-tw: 翼薊
Zh-hant: 翼蓟
Uk: Будяк звичайний
Cy: Marchysgallen, March Ysgall, March Ysgallen, Marchysgall, Marchysgall Berog, Ysgall Gwyllt, Ysgall Gwylltion, Ysgall Wyllt, Ysgall y Blaidd, Ysgall y Tarw, Ysgallen Goronog, Ysgallen y Blaidd

Synonyms

• Carduus vulgaris (Savi)
• Cirsium lanceolatum var. albiflorum (Iverus)
• Cirsium crinitum var. catalaunicum (Willk. & Costa)
• Cirsium crinitum var. microcephalum (Willk.)
• Epitrachys vulgaris ((Savi) K.Koch)
• Cirsium crinitum var. tenuibracteatum (Sennen)
• Cirsium lanceolatum var. longespinosum (Sennen)
• Cirsium hawaiensis ((H.Lév.) H.Lév.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Karel Baaijens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2018 by Charlotte Andersson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 7, 2019 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Karel Baaijens (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 11, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by Pierluigi Polese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 7, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Stoane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Stoane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3112801)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:196191-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 8