Cirsium vulgare

A widespread and common thistle especially on Brayton Barff. The Spear Thistle can be found on disturbed and cultivated ground such as pastures, roadside verges and field edges. Its classic thistle appearance - purple, fluffy-looking flowers sitting atop a spiny ball - may well have given rise to the Scottish national emblem. The Spear Thistle has flower heads with bright pink florets (tiny flowers) and a ball of spiny bracts (leaf-like structures) that appear from July to October. Its leaves are grey-green and spiny, and its tall stems are winged, spiny and cottony.