Native Plant Database

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Cirsium discolor (Field thistle)
Watkins, Mariann

Cirsium discolor (Muhl. ex Willd.) Spreng.

Field thistle

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: CIDI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Field Thistle is a member of the aster family (family Asteraceae) which includes herbs, sometimes shrubs or vines, rarely trees, with simple or compound, alternate or opposite leaves. Flowers small, but organized into larger heads resembling a single, radially symmetrical flower cupped by a ring of green bracts. Flower-like heads: tiny, radially symmetrical central flowers form the disk; larger flowers around the edge, the rays, strap-shaped and resembling petals; however, all flowers in one had may be disk flowers or rays.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Size Notes: Height 80-200 cm.
Fruit Color: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , QC
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Goldfinches are fond of this thistle seed.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Painted Lady

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Cirsium discolor is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Painted Lady
(Vanessa cardui)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
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Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cirsium discolor in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cirsium discolor in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cirsium discolor

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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