Click on one of the thumbnails to the right to view the corresponding item.
Search Results Click a thumbnail to view.
Spear Thistle, Basildon Park
16758
176
Oxfordshire and Berkshire
Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), photographed in late summer in Basildon Park, Berkshire by David Palmar. This tall, biannual thistle can be found on both disturbed and cultivated ground, growing to heights of around 30cm. By this time of the year, the flowers have gone over and developed into downy seed-heads to aid wind dispersal of the seeds.
31 August 2020
Spear Thistle, Munsary, Caithness
16304
245
Munsary Peatlands Plantlife Reserve
Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), is a commonly seen plant in Scotland, particularly on road verges between July and October. This one was photographed at Munsary Plantlife nature reserve, Caithness
16 July 2017
Buff-tailed Bumblebee on Spear Thistle
09059
181
Stirling
The flower of the Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is an important source of nectar for a variety of insects such as this Buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). Seen at Balallan House, Stirling.
06 July 2016
Spear Thistle at RSPB Loch Lomond
07980
215
RSPB Loch Lomond
The iconic appearance of the Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), with a ball of spines below the purple flower head, is likely to have inspired the Scottish national emblem. This one was seen at RSPB Loch Lomond.
17 July 2016
Melancholy thistle, Grantown-on-Spey
16835
367
Dava Way railway walk Grantown on Spey
Melancholy thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum) taken on The Dava Way path, Grantown-on-Spey by David Palmar. This flower gets is name because historically it was used to treat depression.
20 July 2020
Creeping thistle with thistledown, Basildon Park
16757
176
Oxfordshire and Berkshire
Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) seen displaying thistledown, the mature silky pappus of a thistle. This allows the seeds to be dispersed easily by the wind. The Creeping Thistle can be distinguished from the similar Marsh Thistle by having few if any prickles on its main stem, whereas the Marsh Thistle is covered in them. Taken by David Palmar in Basildon Park in Berkshire.
31 August 2020
Marsh Thistle, Kirbuster, Stronsay
15658
341
Stronsay
Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) at Kirbuster, Stronsay, Orkney. The spiny stem distinguishes this plant from the otherwise similar Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense).
08 July 2019
Perennial Sow Thistle, Barassie
15276
305
CEP - Ayrshire
Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) can be a problem weed in gardens and arable fields. Most commonly found around river, roadside and field margins. This one was photographed in Barassie, Ayrshire. Scanned from a slide taken by CE Palmar.
15 August 1976
Perennial sowthistle, Ardmore Point, Firth of Clyde
15275
266
CEP - Ardmore
Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) can be a problem weed in gardens and arable fields. Most commonly found around river, roadside and field margins. This one was photographed on Ardmore Point, Cardross, Argyllshire. Scanned from a slide taken by CE Palmar in 1967.
05 August 1967
84-0810 Small pearl-bordered fritillary on Marsh thistle, Loch Ard forest, Aberfoyle
15120
275
CEP - Loch Lomond
The Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene), seen here, can be difficult to distinguish from the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) unless the underwing is viewed clearly. It does however frequent damper and grassy habitats, unlike the Pearl-bordered. A widespread butterfly in Scotland, pictured here taking nectar from a Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) at Loch Ard, Aberfoyle. Scanned from a slide taken by CE Palmar in 1984.
