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soft thistle

Cirsium carolinianum

The soft thistle is a pretty flower with fluffy purple blooms. It grows in fields and meadows, attracting butterflies and bees that love its nectar.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The soft thistle has pale purple to pinkish flower heads that are round and spiny, atop tall, ridged stems. Its leaves are deeply lobed and toothy, with soft, non-stinging prickles, distinguishing it from truly prickly thistles.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCirsium
soft thistle
flowering trait badgebiennial trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
soft thistle

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ancient Greeks used thistles for medicine, believing they could cure swollen veins!

Some moth and butterfly caterpillars are tough enough to munch on thistle leaves safely.

Thistles are incredibly tough plants, able to grow in disturbed soil where few others can!

Tiny thistle seeds are a favorite snack for many birds, especially American Goldfinches!

Special abilities

Ability

Parachute Seeds

Soft thistle can produce fluffy seed parachutes that help its seeds float far away on the wind to find new places to grow.

Ability

Spiny Shield

Soft thistle has spiny leaves and flower heads that deter hungry animals from eating its precious parts, helping it survive.

Ability

Deep Drinker

Soft thistle can grow long taproots that reach deep into the soil to find water and nutrients, helping it thrive in dry areas.

Measurements & details

Height
60-200 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Visits flowers for nectar.

eats

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Feeds on ripe thistle seeds.

eats

Painted Lady Butterfly

Vanessa cardui

Larvae feed on thistle leaves.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful not to touch the prickly parts of the thistle, as they can be sharp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is soft thistle?

60-200 cm

How wide does soft thistle spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on soft thistle?

2-4 cm

When does soft thistle bloom?

Summer

Is soft thistle edible?

No

Is soft thistle toxic?

None

What is soft thistle's lifecycle?

Biennial

How is soft thistle pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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