Bull Thistle is a perennial or biennial native found throughout Florida. It reseeds readily and is found in habitats such as pastures, hammocks, along the edges of freshwater and salt marshes as well as open disturbed sites. This common wildflower grows to heights of 5 feet and the deeply lobed, extremely spiny leaves form a distinct rosette to 2 feet wide. Leaves grow to 12 inches in length, are gray-green in color and arch downward along a thick, hairy stem. Although it is a beautiful plant, like other thistles it is dangerously spiny!

Cirsium horridulum sports showy flowers up to 3 inches in width and the flowers range in color from deep red-purple to pale yellow and even chalky white. There can be one to several flower heads on a single plant. Peak bloom time is usually spring to early summer, but Bull Thistle can bloom sporadically throughout the year.

The flower nectar of Bull Thistle attracts pollinators like butterflies, skippers and hummingbirds, and the leaves serve as a host plant for the caterpillar of the little Metalmark Butterfly.

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