Bull Thistle at Elkhorn Slough Reserve

July 19, 2018

Elkhorn Slough Reserve  Bull Thistle (1)

Photographer: Cindy Todd
Summary Author: Cindy Todd 

Bull thistle or Cirsium vulgare is native to Europe, parts of Asia and Africa. It's naturalized in the United States, meaning that it's not native but has been introduced and has spread on its own. Growing up to 2 1/4 ft (.75 m), the bull thistle produces nectar for pollinators. This biennial plant grows its leaves and stems in the first year, then goes dormant when the weather turns colder and then flowers during the second year. It reproduces by wind dispersion.

I recently saw the bright pink specimen pictured above at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, California. It's a beautiful weed when flowering and adds even more color to the various wildflowers growing at Elkhorn Slough Reserve. May 24, 2018.

Photo Details: Camera: NIKON COOLPIX L610; Exposure Time: 0.010s (1/100); Aperture: ƒ/3.3; ISO equivalent: 125; Focal Length (35mm): 25