Field Thistle An attraction for butterflies!   The field thistle (Cirsium arvense, family Asteraceae) is a spiny herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 150 cm. It is commonly found in fields, along roadsides, and in uncultivated grassy areas. Its flowers, clustered in lilac-colored flower heads , emit a sweet musky fragrance that attracts butterflies . In midsummer, various butterfly species can often be seen resting on the flowers, acting as pollinators.   Most Cirsium arvense plants produce only male or only female flowers. To ensure pollination, male and female plants need to grow close enough so that pollinating [...]