Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Cirsium palustre / marsh thistle

Cirsium palustre (L.) Scop.

marsh thistle (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Cirsium palustre grows in various wet habitats across the British Isles.

Beckley (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-02

 marsh thistle / Cirsium palustre: _Cirsium palustre_ grows in various wet habitats across the British Isles.

The stems of Cirsium palustre have spiny wings along their entire length.

Blake Muir (VC78: Peeblesshire); 2014-08-04

 marsh thistle / Cirsium palustre: The stems of _Cirsium palustre_ have spiny wings along their entire length.

In contrast with the otherwise similar Carduus crispus, the leaves of Cirsium palustre are shiny above and often become purplish along their margins; the phyllaries are relatively short and appressed.

Beckley (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-02

 marsh thistle / Cirsium palustre: In contrast with the otherwise similar _Carduus crispus_, the leaves of _Cirsium palustre_ are shiny above and often become purplish along their margins; the phyllaries are relatively short and appressed.

Each plant of Cirsium palustre flowers once and then dies; until then, it appears only as a ground-hugging rosette of leaves.

Glyndyfrdwy (VC50: Denbighshire); 2021-08-29

 marsh thistle / Cirsium palustre: Each plant of _Cirsium palustre_ flowers once and then dies; until then, it appears only as a ground-hugging rosette of leaves.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne