Cirsium discolor

Common Name: Pasture Thistle
 
Soil: Dry  Dry-Mesic  Mesic  
Height: 3 ft - 7 ft
Blooming: Aug Sep Oct

This is typically a biennial. The large and attractive pink flowers attract many species of butterflies, moths, bees, beetles, wasps, flies and also hummingbirds. Cirsium species are also larval host for many species of moths. Goldfinches use hair from flower head for nests, and the seeds are eaten by many birds. Mammals avoid this genus due to its spines. For wet landscapes, Cirsium muticum-Swamp Thistle, is better suited.

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