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 insects can transfer pollen from one to the other without losing too much during flight.

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Cirsium arvense reproduces not only through seeds but also spreads via underground stems, which produce new plants at a certain distance from the parent plant. This behavior poses a challenge for farmers and gardeners , as the plants are difficult to eradicate.

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