A range of teacher professional learning programs will be developed to accompany the Biodiversity of the Western Volcanic Plains online outreach...
Spear Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Cirsium vulgare
Annual or biennial. This species is a very common environmental weed found in pasture, along roadsides and in wasteland. It occurs in many different vegetation types, generally on more fertile soil. It can be controlled by weeding and spraying with herbicides. Slashing prior to seed formation prevents seeding.
| Details | Description |
| Type | Herb |
| Group | Daisy |
| Identifying Characteristics | |
| Distinctive Features | A very prickly plant with a distinctive purple flower head. |
| Life Form Group | Herb |
| Life Form Codes | Large Herb (LH) |
| EVC types | EVC 125: Plains Grassy Wetland EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland EVC 132_62: Lighter-soils Plains Grassland EVC 132_63: Low-rainfall Plains Grassland EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland |
| Native Status | Introduced |
| Weed Status Invasiveness | High INVASIVE |
| Weed Status Impact | High IMPACT |
| Taxonomy | |
| Phylum | Charophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Cirsium |
| Species | vulgare |
Native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Naturalized in all Australian states and New Zealand.
Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.
Source: Atlas of Living Australia
| Endangered Status | |
| DEPI Advisory List | Not listed |
| FFG Act | Not listed |
| EPBC Act | Not listed |
The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.
The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.
The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.
