A tall plant when growing in proper conditions, with leaves that are mildly spiny and generally unlobed; the spiky inflorescences are pinkish or purplish, present from summer into fall. May be difficult to buy in the nursery trade, but important as a source for late summer/fall nectar, down for goldfinch nests, and seed for birds. The underside of the leaves of this and other native thistles in the lower Midwest (except for the native Cirsium muticum [swamp or fen thistle] is white, whereas the underside of the leaves of non-native thistles commonly found in fields or along roadsides is green. Host plant for larvae of swamp metalmark and painted lady butterflies.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Tall Thistle
Cirsium altissimum
Plant Type: Annuals
Native Environment: Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Pink / Rose, Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Dan Tenaglia (courtesy of missouriplants.com)

Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
3 to
7
feet
Spread:
to
1
feet
Size
Height: 3 to
7
feet
Spread: to
1
feet
Size
Height: 3 to
7
feet
Spread: to
1
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Native gardens, prairies and wildflower meadows.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Prefers full sun to light shade; tolerates shade better than most thistles. Ideally, grow in a fertile loamy soil that is moderately moist. Reseeds readily.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.