WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Stace 4:

Carduus crispus L. (C. acanthoides auct. non L.) - Welted Thistle.

Stems erect, to 1.5m, continuously spiny-winged up to or nearly up to capitula; leaves subglabrous on lowerside; capitula mostly stalked, in clusters of (1)2-4(5), 9-15 x 15-20(25)mm (excluding flowers), bell-shaped, more or less erect; 2n=16. Native; hedgerows, ditchsides and streamsides, rough ground, especially on rich or basic soils; frequent in Britain North to Central Scotland, introduced further North, East Ireland. Our plant is ssp. multiflorus (Gaudin) Gremli.

Key:

• Phyllaries linear-subulate, not narrowed just above base; capitula 15-35mm across (excluding flowers), in clusters of 1-4(5), more or less erect; corolla 12-18mm
• Capitula mostly 15-20(25)mm across (excluding flowers), in clusters of (1)2-4(5); spines on stem-wings about 2-3mm