Cirsium acaule

Also known as Stemless Thistle, Dwarf Plume Thistle, Ground Thistle

Dwarf thistles form dense, prickly rosettes that hug the soil, positioning solitary purple flower heads directly at ground level. This low-growing habit protects the plant from wind exposure and heavy grazing on dry, sun-baked chalk downs and limestone pastures across Europe. Basking butterflies and bees frequently visit the flat-lying flower heads, which bloom continuously from midsummer into autumn.