# Tall Thistle (*cirsium altissimum*)

The Tall Thistle is a tall and spiky plant that loves to grow in sunny places. Its beautiful purple flowers attract many butterflies and bees, making it a fun sight in the wild!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Tall Thistles thrive in sunny fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
- **Also known as:** Brush Thistle, Tall Thistleweed

![Tall Thistle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cirsium_altissimum_2-eheep_%285097258273%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Superior National Forest, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cirsium_altissimum_2-eheep_%285097258273%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Tall Thistle is a remarkably tall plant, often reaching over 8 feet, with a sturdy, usually unbranched stem. It has large, deeply lobed leaves covered in sharp spines, and distinctive purple-pink, bristly flower heads that bloom atop the stem.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Despite its prickly appearance, its young stems and roots are edible after careful preparation.
- Goldfinches love to feast on the fluffy seeds of Tall Thistle, often seen clinging to the stalks.
- Its seeds have fluffy parachutes, allowing the wind to carry them far and wide to new growing spots.
- The "fluff" from its mature seeds can be used by birds to line their nests, providing warmth.

## Special abilities

- **Spiny Shield:** Tall Thistle has sharp spines that deter hungry animals from eating its leaves and stems.
- **Deep Drinker:** Its long taproot helps Tall Thistle reach deep underground water, allowing it to survive dry periods.
- **Sun Seeker:** Tall Thistle can grow incredibly tall, reaching high above other plants to capture plenty of sunlight.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 90-300 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 3-5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall (Aug-Oct)
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding in pollination.
- **Eats:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Spinus tristis*) — Feeds on the seeds, often clinging to stalks.
- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

## Traits

- [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.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [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

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Tall 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 Tall Thistle?

90-300 cm

### How wide does Tall Thistle spread?

30-60 cm

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

3-5 cm

### When does Tall Thistle bloom?

Late summer to fall (Aug-Oct)

### Is Tall Thistle edible?

Yes

### Is Tall Thistle toxic?

None

### What is Tall Thistle's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Garvan Woodland Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garvan-woodland-gardens) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden
- [Greenleaf State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenleaf-state-park) — Oklahoma, US · State Park

## 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: [Tall Thistle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tall-thistle)