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*Cirsium arvense (Linnaeus) Scopoli. Canada Thistle, Field Thistle. Phen: Jul-Nov. Hab: Pastures, disturbed areas. Dist: Native of Europe.

Origin/Endemic status: Europe

Taxonomy Comments: Two varieties are often recognized: var. arvense, with leaves shallowly undulate-lobed and with only a few fine marginal prickles, and var. horridum, with leaves strongly sinuate-pinnatifid and with numerous well-developed marginal prickles.

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, FNA19, GrPl, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, S, Tn, Va, W; = Breea arvense (L.) Less.; = Carduus arvensis (L.) Robson – RAB; > Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. arvense – C, F, G, Il, Oh3, SE1, Tat; > Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. horridum Wimm. & Gräbner – C, G, Il, Oh3, SE1; > Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. integrifolium Wimm. & Graebn. – F, Tat; > Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. mite Wimm. & Gräbner – F; > Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. vestitum Wimm. & Graebn. – F

Links to other floras: = Cirsium arvense - FNA19

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Great Plains: FACU
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 9

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image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect, colonial perennial of pastures and other disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

Stems: Stems slightly ridged, branched above, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile or clasping, elliptic or lance-shaped, 3-7 in. long, pinnately lobed or toothed, bearing yellow spines on the margins, glossy green, sometimes hairy beneath.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) 1-many at top of stem, pale-pink or lavender, 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of many disk florets, each with 5 thread-like lobes. Close-pressed, sharp-tipped, green to purple bracts surround the urn-shaped base of each head.

Fruits: Fruit a fluffy cluster of seeds, each with a tuft of tawny hairs.

Comments:

Height: 1-3 ft.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect, colonial perennial of pastures and other disturbed areas. Native of Europe.

stems: Stems slightly ridged, branched above, smooth.

leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile or clasping, elliptic or lance-shaped, 3-7 in. long, pinnately lobed or toothed, bearing yellow spines on the margins, glossy green, sometimes hairy beneath.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) 1-many at top of stem, pale-pink or lavender, 1/2-3/4 in. wide, consisting of many disk florets, each with 5 thread-like lobes. Close-pressed, sharp-tipped, green to purple bracts surround the urn-shaped base of each head.

fruits: Fruit a fluffy cluster of seeds, each with a tuft of tawny hairs.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: