# Elk Thistle (*cirsium scariosum*)

The Elk Thistle is a tall, spiky plant with vibrant purple flowers that attract many insects. It's often found in meadows and can grow up to 6 feet tall!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Meadows and open grasslands across western North America.
- **Also known as:** Elk's Thistle, Purple Thistle, Spiky Thistle, Western Thistle

![Elk Thistle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cirsiumscariosum.jpg&width=800)

Photo: J Schmidt, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cirsiumscariosum.jpg)

## Appearance

The Elk Thistle is a robust plant with tall, prickly stems and broad, spiny-edged green leaves. Its distinctive round flower heads are usually vivid purple or pink, often clustered at the stem tips, making it easily spotted in meadows.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Cirsium

## Interesting facts

- Bumblebees and butterflies adore its nectar-rich, purple flowers.
- Indigenous peoples sometimes cooked its thick roots as a meal!
- Its name honors elk, who sometimes forage on its tough roots!
- This plant often thrives in sunny mountain meadows up high.

## Special abilities

- **Spine Shield:** Elk Thistle has sharp spines on its leaves and stems that deter hungry herbivores, protecting its precious leaves and flowers.
- **Deep Digger:** Elk Thistle can grow a strong taproot deep into the soil, helping it find water and nutrients in dry conditions.
- **Wind Rider:** Elk Thistle's seeds have a parachute-like pappus that allows them to float on the wind, spreading new plants far and wide.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to early Fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — forages on leaves and roots, especially in spring
- **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — collects nectar and pollen from its abundant flowers
- **Pollinates:** [Painted Lady](https://www.snappit.app/explore/painted-lady) (*Vanessa cardui*) — visits flowers for nectar, aiding in pollination
- **Eats:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browses on young leaves and flower heads

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Avoid touching the prickly leaves.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Elk Thistle?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Elk Thistle?

30-150 cm

### How wide does Elk Thistle spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Elk Thistle?

2-5 cm

### When does Elk Thistle bloom?

Summer to early Fall

### Is Elk Thistle edible?

No

### Is Elk Thistle toxic?

None

### What is Elk Thistle's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Cora](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cora) — Wyoming, US · Neighborhood
- [Old Faithful Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-faithful-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District
- [St. Mary Utility Area Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-mary-utility-area-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District
- [Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akamina-kishinena-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

[View all places to see Elk Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/elk-thistle)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Elk Thistle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk-thistle)