Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Onopordum acanthium / cotton thistle

Onopordum acanthium L.

cotton thistle (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadStrong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Onopordum acanthium is a tall, grey-hairy thistle widely naturalised, especially in southern and eastern England.

New Hinksey (VC22: Berkshire); 2019-07-28

 cotton thistle / Onopordum acanthium: _Onopordum acanthium_ is a tall, grey-hairy thistle widely naturalised, especially in southern and eastern England.

The stems of Onopordum acanthium have spiny wings along their length.

New Hinksey (VC22: Berkshire); 2019-07-28

 cotton thistle / Onopordum acanthium: The stems of _Onopordum acanthium_ have spiny wings along their length.

The leaves of Onopordum acanthium have conspicuous reticulate veins.

New Hinksey (VC22: Berkshire); 2019-07-28

 cotton thistle / Onopordum acanthium: The leaves of _Onopordum acanthium_ have conspicuous reticulate veins.

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