Cotton Thistle is a
non-native
biennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in cropland, hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 300cm.
The Cotton Thistle is distinguished from other thistles by the 'cottony' fibres that are interwoven around the spikes on its spherical grey flowerhead, which is topped by a tuft of purple ray petals.
Botanic classification and naming: Cotton Thistle is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Onopordum' identifies the plant as a Cotton Thistle and its species name 'acanthium' means 'thorny plant'.
Benefits: Provides seed for birds such as the Goldfinch.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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