Cirsium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SIR-see-um
- Description
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Thistles are in the aster family and can be biennials or perennials and vary greatly in size and color of the flowers. They all have spines and are considered weedy and in some states are listed as invasive. They spread by seeds and rhizomes. There are about 60 species that are native to North America.
Thistles are a high nectar plant that supports bees and butterflies and the birds, especially finches, eat the seeds.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cirsium
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia, Africa, Southern America and Northern America
- Distribution:
- From Canada to Florida, coast to coast
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Cirsium support the following specialized bees: Melissodes (Heliomelissodes) desponsus, Osmia (Helicosmia) chalybea and Osmia (Helicosmia) texana. Birds eat the seeds.
- Edibility:
- Has been used for food in some counties.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Numerous disc florets that are divided into 5 long thread-like lobes giving it a showy hair-like appearance. Spines present in the numerous bracts below the flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Most have a basal leaf arrangement and alternate stem leaves. Spines are present on the leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
