![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1lUVzjta5c6fXCV8XkpNpS/97cecc9325dd92f90e8700981dac9c56/creeping_thistle_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1080&q=85)
Creeping thistle
Cirsium arvense
Importance
A late emerging plant, also perennial.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/74iFhgxxY7pSY3moXssbPG/2fb15a7e5ececadaada6443a3daa5356/creeping_thistle_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
1. Plants generally arise from small pieces of root but where seedlings occur, cotyledons are large and fleshy. First true leaves carry spines along their margins.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6jW0fY73bgXeU7JqP2wVce/abe33b224f41b954618fc3afc3112946/creeping_thistle_02.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
2. Subsequent leaves are light green, lance-shaped and spiny.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/4VuvqgetP8kstMjls6Jiou/2c9518e6411230fdfea97f68aa4d12e5/creeping_thistle_03.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
3. An upright perennial with clusters of purple flowers on top of tall stems.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1h0qvud54Zy9GzLekPOd5R/677728ff5c36c4492f44e69e75b97e83/FieldMate_Promo_Mobile.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)