Scientific name: Cirsium arvense
Family: ASTERACEAE
Common names: “Canada thistle”
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial invasive weed
Conditions:
Zone: All
Light: Full sun – semi-shade
Exposure: Exposed
Soil: Any, dry rocky gravel
Moisture: Moist well drained – dry
Aesthetic:
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Plant Size: H 3-5′ W 3′
Leaf and Stem shape: Erect green stems with spiny toothed leaves
Flower: Numerous small purple flowers in clusters, bearing feathery seeds carried by the wind
Root: Prolific deep white rhizomatious roots
Landscape use: Attracts birds, food for wildlife, grows in recently disturbed sites, generally indicates dry rocky conditions
Propagate: By seed and root
Comments: Terrible weed, don’t shop at a nursery if you see this weed going to seed on the premises, ironically it is not native to Canada, but is introduced from Eurasia, invasive species
Vancouver Island Grows 