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Smith, Sandy (Sunset, TX)

Cirsium texanum Buckl.

Texas thistle

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Carduus austrinus, Cirsium texanum var. stenolepis

USDA Symbol: CITE2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The Texas thistle grows 2-5 feet tall, without branches, or sparingly branched near the top. The numerous leaves are alternate, 4-9 inches long, smaller on the upper third of the stem. Leaves are green above and white below, with a woolly texture on the underside. The irregular lobes have spines at the tip but few elsewhere on the leaf. There is 1 flower head to a stem, with no ray flowers but numerous disk flowers, which are deep rose-lavendert.

Bumblebees work the flowers when they mature.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Margin: Lobed
Inflorescence: Head
Size Notes: 2 to 5
Leaf Color: Blades green & glabrous above, grayish or whitish beneath.
Flower Size: Flowers 1 mm broad in a larger flower head.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Violet
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: MO , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Prairies and roadsides nearly throughout Texas, Oklahoma & Missouri, and south to northern Mexico.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Commonly recognized for its flower, Texas thistle is a drought tolerant species that blooms in early summer. The flower is a good nectar source for pollinators. Let the flower progress to seed, providing food for birds.
Texas comments: Texas thistle is a drought tolerant species that blooms in early summer and is commonly recognized for its flower. The flower is a good nectar source for pollinators. Let the flower progress to seed, providing food for birds.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Bumblebees work the flowers when they mature. Larvae of painted-lady butterfly feed on foliage. Goldfinches eat seeds and use fluff (silky) of ripened seeds to line nests.
Use Other: Goldfinches reported to use the pappus bristles of the flower to line their nests. Also used as a nectar source for butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Larval Host: Painted Lady
Nectar Source: yes
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I am looking for host plants for the Painted Lady Butterfly that I can plant in my school's (I am a teacher) native plant/butterfly garden. As part of the curriculum, each spring the 1st grade raises painted lady butterflies from eggs, and then release them outside. I maintain the garden (I am actually the art teacher!) and would like to incorporate the host plants for these butterflies in the garden so that the children can see them in their natural habitat. Anything I have read is very vague - mallow (but what varieties?), thistle (again, what type of thistle), and a few other non-specific plants. Any suggestions would be gratefully welcomed! Thank you very much and I look forward to your response.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cirsium texanum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cirsium texanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cirsium texanum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-10
Research By: RSB

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