Thistles are common plants and all are prickly with pink/purple flowers. The four species below are the most common species - other thistle species in our area are either rare or generally found in special habitats - such as chalky soil. They are important plants for a range of invertebrate species and some of the most attractive to bees and others nectar feeders.
Click on any header to visit the NatureSpot page for that species. Thistles are part of the daisy family - to view all species in this group visit the NatureSpot gallery.
Creeping Thistle
Our most common thistle. It is a perennial and readily spreads so is often found in patches. Short to medium height.
ID: Pale pink flowers with thin, pear-shaped bases. Leaves with wavy, prickled edges. Stem neither winged nor spiny (or barely).
Spear Thistle
An annual so usually found singularly. Grows to 1.5m. Very attractive to bees and other pollinators.
ID: Deep pink flowers on a bulbous, prickly base. End lobe of leaf is long and 'spear' shaped. Stem with sharp, spiny wings.
Welted Thistle
Tall - 1.5-2m. Flowers June-August, usually in damp meadows and beside streams.
ID: Reddish-purple flowers on a bulbous base with spiny bracts protruding. Leaves weakly spined. Branched stem with spiny wings.
Marsh Thistle
Medium to tall (to 1.2m). Whole plant usually has a purple tinge. Straight stem with few leaves. In damp grassland.
ID: Purplish flowers in clusters with bases purple-tinged. Leaves thin and short - very spiny and hairy above. Stem winged and spiny.
