Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. subsp. crinitum (Boiss.) Rouy

Spice Basal leaves In the field Inflorescence

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Cirsium

Catalan common name: Lloba-carda.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Dry and disturbated zones.

Characteristics: This thistle is identified by its leaves, which are covered with spiny emergences on the obverse, and the same for the margin, as each lobe elongates into one of these spiny emergences. The leaves fold downwards on the stem, leaving it looking like a spiny winged stalk. The capitula are rounded with the bracts also spinate, with an arcanose-like hairy covering, flowers are purple. Can be told apart from Cirsium echinatum as for the latter its stems are not winged and the bracts curve outwards. Flowers from June until winter.