Broad-winged Thistle

Carduus acanthoides

The Broad-winged Thistle is a tall plant with spiky leaves and beautiful purple flowers. It grows in sunny places and is loved by butterflies and bees!

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Broad-winged Thistle has deeply lobed, spiny leaves that extend down its stem, creating a distinctive winged appearance. Its vibrant purple-pink flower heads are globe-shaped and erupt from spiky bracts, making it visually striking.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenAsteralesFamiliaAsteraceaeGéneroCarduus

Broad-winged Thistle

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

2/5 · Bajo

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Even though they’re spiky, many bees and butterflies visit their flowers for nectar!

Its scientific name, Carduus acanthoides, actually means 'spiny thistle'!

This plant is often called a 'weed' but it provides important food for many insects!

Thistles are a favorite snack for hungry goldfinches, who love to eat their seeds!

Habilidades especiales

Broad-winged Thistle has sharp spines covering its stems and leaves that help it defend against hungry herbivores.

Broad-winged Thistle can launch its seeds with fluffy parachutes, allowing them to float on the wind to new locations.

Broad-winged Thistle can grow a deep taproot to find water and nutrients far underground, helping it survive dry conditions.

Medidas y detalles

Altura: 30-200 cm
Extensión: 30-60 cm
Tamaño de la flor: 1.5-3 cm
Temporada de floración: Summer-fall
Comestible: No
Toxicidad: Leve
Ciclo de vida: Bienal
Método de polinización: Insectos

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

eats seeds from the flower heads

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen from flowers

pollinates

Painted Lady Butterfly

Vanessa cardui

feeds on nectar from the thistle flowers

eaten by

Cabbage Looper

Trichoplusia ni

caterpillars sometimes munch on its leaves

Rasgos

Floración

Las plantas con flores son cualquier planta que produce flores como parte de su ciclo reproductivo.

Bienal

Las plantas bienales completan su ciclo de vida en dos temporadas de crecimiento, formando típicamente follaje en el primer año y floreciendo o semillando en el segundo.

Floración de verano

Las plantas de floración de verano producen sus flores durante la temporada estival, a menudo aportando un color vibrante cuando muchas otras plantas ya han terminado de florecer.