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Cirsium vulgare
Spear thistle (aka black, bull, and scotch thistle) is a non-indigenous plant in Australia and is classified as a noxious weed. Found in southern and most of eastern Australia. Spread by movement of seed, by wind, water or mud. Photos 5&6 show the pappus which are very fine and easily airborne. Widespread and common in crop and non-crop situations; found especially on high fertility soils. Seed is also often spread by human activity such as hay bales, and possibly also by ants. This is a truly anti-social plant. Those needles are sharp!
Found along the edge of the Kalang River in Urunga. Salt water environment. Climate is warm to hot, and quite humid during the summer months.
Spotted on Feb 15, 2014
Submitted on Feb 20, 2014
5 Comments
We allowed sheep back into our (overgrown) property 3 months ago. Then the rain stopped. Now there's absolutely nothing but sheep and thistles. :(
Thanks, Leuba. Very healthy.
haha NO! Thanks for the kind offer though, Mark. Truth be known I've never seen them here before. Should get out of the house more, eh?!
Healthy crop, anyway !
How are you going for these? Run out yet? Need some more sent up? :-)