Native Plants

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Smith, R.W.

Cirsium canescens

Cirsium canescens Nutt.

Prairie Thistle

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Carduus undulatus var. canescens, Cirsium nebraskense, Cirsium nelsonii, Cirsium plattense

USDA Symbol: cica11

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Cirsium canescens, a yellow thistle, has leaves that are white and velvety beneath and grayish above, with leaf bases extending wing-like down the stem. It is often found on overgrazed western pastures.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblong , Obovate
Size Notes: Height 20-100 cm.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , OH , SD , WY

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2015-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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