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Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Biennial Life CycleBiennial life cycle
Daisy-Like FlowersDaisy-like flowers
Brown FlowersBrown flowers
Many PetalsMany petals
Jul-Sep Flowering
period
Elongated LeavesElongated leaves
Spiny-Edged LeavesSpiny-edged leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Tap RootTap root
60cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Carline Thistle
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Carline Thistle is a native biennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalky grassland and dry habitats, to a mature height of up to 60cm.

Carline Thistle is distinguished from other thistles by its distinctive flat, brown 'dead-looking' flowerhead, with the centre extensively covered by disc florets and surrounded by well-spaced ray florets.

Botanic classification and naming: Carline Thistle is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name 'Carlina' identifies the plant as a Carline Thistle and its species name 'vulgaris' means 'common species'.

 
Flower of Carline Thistle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Carline Thistle usually flowers between July and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Brown

Brown

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Daisy-like

Daisy-like

Petals:

Petal Number =  Many

Many

Leaf of Carline Thistle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Elongated

Elongated

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is spiny

spiny

Stem of Carline Thistle

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap