On a recent eco buggy ride through Deep Creek Preserve in Volusia County we spotted some purple thistle (also called cow thistle) in bloom. Just wanted to post a picture of it to show how pretty this plant is when it is in bloom. The purple thistle has many thorns on it. Purple thistle is a native wildflower found throughout Florida. Many butterflies, bees, and other insects like purple thistle. When in bloom they have beautiful purple flowers.