TUBEROUS THISTLE Cirsium tuberosum

A long-lived herbaceous, very slow spreading perennial. This species can rapidly disappear under heavy grazing. Occurs on chalk, limestone and coastal habitats.

Displays solitary flowerheads, at the top of the unbranched, unwinged, cottony-hairy stem. Numerous deep pink florets.

Flowering starts in July and continues into September. 

The long-tubed florets are sweet-smelling and produce large quantities of pollen and nectar and are visited by a variety of insects, including bumblebees, butterflies, day-flying moths, chrysomelid beetles and hoverflies. 

BSBI 2025 Categorisation: Vulnereable and Scarce

Height: 60cm

Flowering: July - September

Colour: Purple