Flowering period: June to September.
Note: This species is sometimes incorrectly called Bull Thistle. The true Bull Thistle is Cirsium vulgare.
Lucas Land
Pasture Thistle
Cirsium pumilum
From Nearctica
Identification: Flower heads large (2 to 3 inches in diameter), ovate, topped with a spray of lavender florets. Upper leaves large and cupping the bottom of the flower head. Stem without spines or spiny plates, but heavily hairy. Leaves heavily incised each lobed tipped with a heavy spine. Leaves without white, woolly hair below, green. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.
Distribution: New England southward to Maryland, and westward to Ohio.
Habitat: Pasture Thistle is commonly found in pastures and fields as its name implies.
