Index
Home Page About
Trees Shrubs Aster Family Ferns Grasses Other Plants
Fungi
Seaweed
Slime Molds
Food Uses
Other Uses
Medicinal Use
Habitat Preference
References Phytochemicals Regional Lists
Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader.

Cirsium Sp. - Thistle

Family: Asteraceae - Aster [E-flora]


Cirsium vulgare

Cirsium vulgare

Cirsium vulgare

"Taprooted annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herb that flowers once, or multi-flower perennial herb with taprooted rosettes arising from runner roots or from simple to branched caudex; glabrous to cobwebby or ± densely tomentose with long, fine, slender hairs, sometimes with thicker multicellular, jointed hairs that often appear crinkled, shining, iridescent when dry. Stem: generally erect. Leaf: basal and proximal cauline generally tapered or ± wing-petioled, generally wavy-margined, dentate to generally pinnately lobed and ± dentate, lobes and teeth spine-tipped, generally spiny-ciliate, faces glabrous to tomentose, especially abaxially; distal generally sessile, ± reduced. Inflorescence: heads discoid, 1–many, center head of cluster generally larger, generally erect; involucre ± cylindric to ovoid, spheric, or bell-shaped, persistent when dry; phyllaries many, graduated in 5–20 series, generally entire (spiny-ciliate or with irregularly toothed or cut scarious margin or distal appendage), outer and middle generally spine-tipped, in some species midrib with sticky-resinous ridge (milky when fresh, dark when dry, occasionally very narrow); inner phyllaries generally narrow, flat, tips straight or twisted; receptacle flat, long-bristly, epaleate. Flower: ± many, generally bisexual (unisexual in Cirsium arvense); corolla ± radial, white to red or purple, tube long, narrowly cylindric, throat cylindric, lobes linear; anther tube colored same as corolla or not, anther base sharply sagittate, tip linear or oblong; style generally exserted, tip cylindric, branches very short. Fruit: ovoid, thick or ± compressed, straw-colored or tan to dark brown, glabrous; attachment scar slightly angled; pappus bristles many, ± flattened proximally, plumose, weakly fused at base, often deciduous in ring, white to brown.
± 200 species: North America, Eurasia. (Greek: thistle) [Keil 2006 FNANM 19:95–164] Taxa difficult, variable, incompletely differentiated, hybridize. Exceptional white-flowered plants occur in most taxa with pigmented corollas; these generally not treated in key.
Unabridged references: [Kelch & Baldwin 2003 Molec Ecol 12:141–151]
 Unabridged note: Native thistles are part of an apparently actively evolving group of species with many geog and ecological races and growth forms. Morphologically divergent species often are able to hybridize; unrecognized hybridization or intergradation often complicates identification. Stature, growth form, and proportions are subject to environmental influence." [Jepson]

Local Species;

  1. Cirsium arvense - Canada thistle [E-flora][PCBC][TSFTK]
  2. Cirsium brevistylum - Short-styled thistle [E-flora][PCBC]
  3. Cirsium edule var macounii - Edible thistle [E-flora][PCBC][TSFTK]
  4. Cirsium palustre - Marsh thistle [E-flora]
  5. Cirsium vulgare - Bull thistle [E-flora][PCBC][TSFTK]

TAXONOMIC KEY TO CIRSIUM

[E-flora]

Canada Thistle - Cirsium arvense

Habitat / Range
"Mesic to dry roadsides, fields and disturbed areas in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; common in W, SC and NE BC; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Exotic. [E-flora]

Identification

Additional Notes

"Canada thistle is our only species of thistle with separate male and female plants (Moore 1979). Moore (1979) indicates that it was introduced to North America "very early in the colonial period, probably in the 17th century". A single seedling can produce a large patch through vegetative propagation (Moore 1979). This species is listed as one of the top fourteen species of concern by the Coastal Invasive Plant Committee, for more information visit their web site." [E-flora]

Similar Species

"There are several plant genera commonly named “thistles”, and the reason for this is they look very similar and bear prickles. The most common ones are the Cirsium and Carduus genera. When trying to identify a Canada thistle-like plant with prickles, one should first check if it is really a Cirsium, or not. The easiest way is to see if the pappus bristles have conspicuous feather-like hairs, which makes them species in the genus Cirsium, or if the bristles are missing or very tiny, which is a feature of the genus Carduus. Following that, the Canada thistle can be readily separated from the other species of Cirsium based on the small involucres that are less than 2 cm in height. However, there is another small-headed thistle, similarly introduced from Europe, that could cause confusion--the marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre). However, this species does not have creeping rhizomes, and mostly grows in moist meadows.[1]"[E-flora]

From a distance, one might mistake knapweed species (Acroptilon or Centaurea) for the Canada thistle because of their pink flower heads and branching stems. However, their flowers are of varying sizes--those at the edge of the disk are larger than those near the center--and their leaves do not develop prickles. [1]"[E-flora]

Similar Species

"There are several plant genera commonly named “thistles”, and the reason for this is they look very similar and bear prickles. The most common ones are the Cirsium and Carduus genera. When trying to identify a Canada thistle-like plant with prickles, one should first check if it is really a Cirsium, or not. The easiest way is to see if the pappus bristles have conspicuous feather-like hairs, which makes them species in the genus Cirsium, or if the bristles are missing or very tiny, which is a feature of the genus Carduus. Following that, the Canada thistle can be readily separated from the other species of Cirsium based on the small involucres that are less than 2 cm in height. However, there is another small-headed thistle, similarly introduced from Europe, that could cause confusion--the marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre). However, this species does not have creeping rhizomes, and mostly grows in moist meadows. "

"From a distance, one might mistake knapweed species (Acroptilon or Centaurea) for the Canada thistle because of their pink flower heads and branching stems. However, their flowers are of varying sizes--those at the edge of the disk are larger than those near the center--and their leaves do not develop prickles."

Note Author: Anna-Mária Csergo, February 2011.[E-flora]

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Uses

Root: tonic, diuretic, astringent, antiphlogistic and hepatic[207]. [PFAF]

Plant: Contains a volatile alkaloid and a glycoside called cnicin, which has emetic and emmenagogue properties[240]. [PFAF]

Leaves: The leaves are antiphlogistic[207]. They cause inflammation and have irritating properties[207]. [PFAF]

Cultivation & Propagation

Synonyms

References

Short-Styled Thistle - Cirsium brevistylum

Habitat / Range
Moist meadows and open forests in the lowland and montane zones; frequent in coastal and extreme S BC; S to ID, MT and CA. [IFBC-E-flora]
[IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Native [E-flora]

Identification

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Cirsium edule var macounii - Edible thistle

Subtaxa Present in B.C.

Identification
Cirsium edule is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. [PFAF]

Habitat / Range
Moist to mesic meadows, avalanche tracks and open forests in the upper montane to lower alpine zones; frequent throughout BC; S to N OR. [IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Native [E-flora]

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Cultivation
"An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[200]. A monocarpic species, it grows for a number of years without flowering but then dies after flowering[60]."[PFAF]

Propagation
"Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c."[PFAF]

Cirsium palustre - Marsh thistle

Identification

Habitat/Range: Moist meadows and forest openings in the lowland zone; infrequent throughout BC south of 55degreeN; introduced from Europe. [IFBC-E-flora]

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Bull Thistle - Cirsium vulgare

Plant, Tinder, Papermaking, Inulin, Poultice

Identification

"There are several plant genera commonly named "thistles", and the reason for this is they look very similar and bear prickles. The most common ones are the Cirsium and Carduus genera. When trying to identify a bull thistle-like plant with prickles, one should first check to make sure it is really a Cirsium, or not. The easiest way is to see if the pappus bristles have conspicuous feather-like hairs, in which case it is a Cirsium, or if the bristles are missing or very tiny, which is a feature of the genus Carduus."

"There are at least five large-headed, native thistles (inflorescences longer than 2 cm) which can be mistaken for the bull thistle. They can be separated from the exotic bull thistle based on the absence of, or only very short, wings on the stem. Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) is another spiny plant with pinkish flowerheads which grows in similar habitat conditions. However, its larger, fewer inflorescences, and the broader leaves and wings on the stem can readily separate it from bull thistle. Additionally, while bull thistle flowerheads and leaves can be woolly, the Scotch thistle is more pronouncedly woolly-hairy and the whole plant is rather silvery as compared with the greener bull thistle."

"The exotic milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can also be mistaken for the bull thistle, however, its range is rather restricted to a few localities in southwestern British Columbia. The conspicuously white mottled leaves and the fewer involucral bracts with long spines in the milk thistle readily differentiates this species from the bull thistle."

"The inflorescence of burdock species (Arctium) might be mistaken for bull thistle because of the involucral bracts with hooked tips and the purple flowers. They can be readily separated, however, based on the large basal leaves and the absence of the prickles from the leaves."

Note Author: Anna-Maria Csergo, February 2011. [E-flora]

Synonyms

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Uses

"The Chinese use thistle teas and decoctions to treat appendicitis, internal bleeding, and inflammations." [Meuninck EWPUH]

Folk Uses

"Gerard reported that “… being stamped before the floure appeareth, …, and the juice pressed forth, causeth the haire to grow where it is pilled off, if the place be bathed with the juyce”. Whoever would have thought of thistles as a hair restorer? But that is not all, for he also passed on the information that this thistle chewed, “is good against a stinking breath”. The roots, boiled in wine and drunk “… take away the ranke smell of the body and arme-hole”. You could even apply the root like a poultice for the same purpose."[DPL Watts]

Cultivation

"The common thistle is a pernicious weed that spreads freely by means of its seed which can be dispersed by the wind over a large area. The seedlings are capable of establishing themselves in grassland. This plant should not be encouraged, and if growing on your land should be cut down before it sets seed. What better way of discouraging it is there than eating it? An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[200]. " [PFAF]

Propagation

"Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c[164]. A pernicious weed, it really needs no encouragement from us." [PFAF]

References

Cirsium Sp. Uses

Species mentioned: Cirsium Spp.[Harrington][Nyerges]

Hazards

As far as we know any species of thistle can be used as food if taken in the right stage and suitably prepared. [Harrington]

When handling or gathering parts of the thistle plant, protect your hands from the sharp spines with something, such as a pair of gloves, a rag, or a brown paper bag. [Nyerges]

Edible Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Uses

Phytochemicals

Cultivation & Propagation

References

Page last modified on Sunday, January 2, 2022 6:56 AM