Family: Asteraceae
Author: (Muhl. ex Willd.) Spreng.
Bibliography: Syst. Veg. ed. 16. 3: 373 (1826)
Year: 1826
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cirsium
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: C. & E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Field thistle, known scientifically as Cirsium discolor, is a distinguished member of the Asteraceae family. First documented in the “Systema Vegetabilium” 16th edition, volume 3, on page 373 in the year 1826, this plant has significant historical recognition within botanical literature, credited to the work of Muhlenberg and Willdenow, and later Sprengel.
Field thistle is indigenous to a broad geographical range across North America, particularly flourishing in the climates of Central and Eastern Canada, as well as the Northern and Central regions of the Eastern United States. The plant’s adaptability to these areas highlights its resilience and the ability to thrive in varied environments.
Characterized by its prickly stems and striking purple flower heads, Field thistle contributes to its habitats’ biodiversity and serves as an essential resource for pollinators. Its role within the ecosystem not only supports pollination but also helps in sustaining other life forms that coexist within these regions.
Despite its unassuming appearance, Field thistle is a crucial part of the natural landscape, embodying the intricate balance between flora and fauna in North American ecosystems.
Common Names
Eng: field thistle, pasture thistle
Fra: chardon discolore, circe discolore
En: Field thistle, Pasture thistle
Fr: Chardon discolore, Circe discolore
Synonyms
- Cirsium altissimum subsp. discolor ((Muhl. ex Willd.) Petr.)
- Cirsium altissimum f. discolor ((Muhl. ex Willd.) Voss)
- Cirsium altissimum var. discolor ((Muhl. ex Willd.) Fernald)
- Cirsium discolor f. albiflorum (House)
- Cnicus altissimus var. discolor ((Muhl. ex Willd.) A.Gray)
- Cnicus altissimus f. albiflora (Britton)
- Cnicus discolor (Muhl. ex Willd.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Aug 24, 2020 by AgaRa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 15, 2014 by EOL − Daniel Carter (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Pier Jackson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 14, 2020 by Белова Лена (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Dande Lion (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Jackie Sherwood (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Willow Dee (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 27, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Johnnie Walters (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 14, 2022 by michael rouech (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 21, 2022 by Anne Rousseau (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 8, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3112737)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:195272-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cirsium discolor (Muhl. ex Willd.) Spreng.)