bull cottonthistle USDA PLANTS Symbol: ONTA
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Onopordum tauricum Willd.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Asterales: Asteraceae
Synonym(s): Scotch thistle, taurus cotton thistle
Appearance
Onopordum tauricum is a biennial herb that can grow up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) tall.
Foliage
The leaves of O. tauricum are bright green in color and from 3.9-9.8 in. (10-25 cm) long. Leaves are covered with short hairs, are acutely triangular and have toothed lobes.
Flowers
Onopordum tauricum flower heads are spherical and bright purple to pink in color. They are from 3-4 in. (7.6-10.2 cm) in diameter with numerous spiny bracts. Flowering occurs in summer.
Fruit
Fruits are from 0.2-0.24 in. (5-6 mm) long. Each fruit contains several white to tan seeds from 0.31-0.39 in. (8-10 mm) long. Seeds have short bristles. This plant reproduces by seed.
Ecological Threat
Onopordum tauricum prefers disturbed areas including fields and roadsides. It is native to temperate Asia and eastern Europe.
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s);
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s);
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s);
Todd Pfeiffer, Klamath County Weed Control, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s);
Todd Pfeiffer, Klamath County Weed Control, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Stem(s);
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Todd Pfeiffer, Klamath County Weed Control, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Todd Pfeiffer, Klamath County Weed Control, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s);
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); with mature seed heads
Devon Pfeiffer, , Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Fruits. Similar to an FNW taxon.
Deena Walters, USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST ITP, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Fruits without pappus. Similar to an FNW taxon.
Deena Walters, USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST ITP, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources: