Thistles are in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and can be biennials or short-lived perennials, natives or non-natives. Its name comes from the Greek kersion which means thistle. Some have come from Asia and Europe, and others are native to North America. They all have spines. Two species, Cirsium arvense and C. vulgare are non-native and considered weedy. Thistles vary greatly in their size and the color of the flowers. Some flowers are fragrant, most are not. There are about 60 species that are native to North America. Some thistles prefer sunny, open areas and some can tolerate some shade. It grows in all types of soils from moist wetlands to mostly dry conditions and in a wide range of pH. They have a central taproot and spread mostly by seeds (one by rhizomes). Most species produce flowers only in their second summer (and every summer thereafter, for perennial species). Thistles are a high-value nectar plant for bees and butterflies, and songbirds eat the seeds and use the tufts of the seeds for their nests. The seeds are rich in oil, an important food source for seed-eating birds. It is the host plant for the Little Metalmark butterfly ( Calephelis virginiensis ), which has three to five broods from May to October, and Painted Lady Butterfly ( Vanessa cardui ), which has one to three flights from May-October. Flowers are also attractive to hummingbirds. Members of this genus support the following specialized bees: Thistle Long-horned bee Melissodes desponsus , plus Osmia (Helicosmia) chalybea and Osmia (Helicosmia) texana. Native thistles are a great option in a meadow garden or naturalized area when looking for native host plants for the Little Metalmark butterfly or the Painted Lady butterfly. Select with care, as some native species may spread into areas (such as lawns and flower beds) where they are not wanted. Some gardeners object to their spininess. Quick ID Hints: Very spiny leaves and bracts subtending the heads heads like artichokes that bear numerous flowers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Most have a basal leaf arrangement and alternate stem leaves with pronounced stiff spines along the edges. Natives can be easily identified to have stiff hairs on the upper surface, but softer white hairs below.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Good Cut
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Seeds are produced singly in a flat, dark brown fruit about 1/10 of an inch long. Seeds produce a feathery pappus (similar to dandelion ‘seeds’) which help disperse the seeds.
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.