Tribe Cynareae Rank Species | Genus Cirsium Higher classification Cirsium | |
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Similar Cirsium, Daisy family, Cirsium altissimum, Cirsium muticum, Cirsium flodmanii | ||
Cirsium discolor, the field thistle, is a North American species of plants in the thistle tribe within the sunflower family. It is widespread and abundant across much of eastern and central Canada as well as eastern and central United States. It has been found from New Brunswick west to Saskatchewan and south as far as Texas and Georgia.
Field thistle is a biennial or perennial herb up to 200 cm (78.5 in) tall, producing a large taproot. There is usually only one stem with numerous spiny leaves that are green on the upper side but white and woolly underneath. The plant has pink or lavender flower heads that bloom in late summer/early fall. Heads have many disc florets but no ray florets. The species grows primarily in damp areas in forest openings, prairies, and disturbed sites.
