Minnesota Wildflowers


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Cirsium flodmanii (Flodman's Thistle)

Plant Info
Also known as: Hollow-root Thistle, Prairie Thistle
Genus:Cirsium
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:biennial, short-lived perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; moist prairies
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: indistinct round

[photo of flowers] Flower heads are reddish purple to rose, 1 to 2 inches wide, at the end of branching stems at the top of the plant. Bracts are longer than wide with white racing stripe and small spreading spines.

Leaves and stem: alternate lobed

[photo of leaves] Leaves are alternate and deeply lobed with dark green upper surface and velvety white underneath, about 6 inches long at the base of the plant, becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. Lobes are generally triangular. Spines are sparse throughout. Stems are slender and generally branched, and covered with a fine downy coating.

Notes:

Like most native thistles this one's spines are far less dense and prickly as compared to most of the non-native and more aggressive species.Though this species can be found up into the Arrowhead region, it is most commonly found througout the western half of Minnesota on lower, moderately moist sites.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken in Pennington County, MN

Comments

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