Thistle, Canada

Cirsium arvense is easy to ID by the bract tips which are pointed but not spiny and also deep purple in color. The unusual white color flower in the photo has bracts that could be mistaken for the racing stripes found on native thistles, so be careful taking observations. Note that there are no spines, again, on the tips of the bracts even though the tips are not deep purple for these white flowers. Our native field thistle (Cirsium discolor), on the other hand, has a very noticeable 1/4″ spine coming out from each bract.

Flower heads are smallish, 3/4″ across, lavender, to pale pink and sometimes white, growing in clusters. Considered a noxious weed in Minnesota, this is another one to eradicate as best you can from your property, land and/or garden.