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Cirsium altissimum
Cirsium altissimum (L.) Hill
Tall Thistle
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Carduus altissimus, Cirsium altissimum var. biltmoreanum
USDA Symbol: CIAL2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: BiennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Lanceolate , Oblong
Inflorescence: Head
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall, often much shorter.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Ray flowers absent.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WVGrowing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Cirsium altissimum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cirsium altissimum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cirsium altissimum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-12Research By: Joseph A. Marcus