Photographs: Ballingeary, Co. Cork

Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre Feochadán corraigh Family: Asteraceae Flowering time: June - September. Biennial. Native. Flower-heads are deep purple or sometimes white, the erect bracts tipped black or purple. Seed pappus of long feathery hairs. Dark green leaves are often purple-flushed, deeply pinnate, cottony below and hairy above. The lobes are toothed, with very prickly margins. Erect hairy stem with spine-tipped wings. Height: To 130cm. Hybrids can occur with Meadow Thistle, Cirsium dissectum Abundant on damp ground in grassland, woods, roadsides and hedgebanks

Marsh Thistle, Cirsium palustre, Feochadán corraigh