Cirsium altissimum (L.) Spreng.

Tall Thistle; Roadside Thistle

Herb

Biennial

Vascular

Tall Thistle is a native herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found in scattered locations throughout Alabama. Tall Thistle occurs on prairies, in open woodlands, and on roadsides, usually in moist sites. It is a biennial from a taproot. Stems are erect, pubescent but not spiny, up to 10 feet in height, and with few branches above the middle. Leaves are basal and cauline. Basal leaves are usually absent at flowering. Stem leaves are alternate, sessile or with winged petioles, the upper with clasping bases, oblanceolate to elliptic or ovate in outline, undivided to shallowly lobed, with spine-tipped teeth along the margins. The leaves are white tomentose below and green and sparsely pubescent to glabrous above. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. The heads are subtended by tightly appressed phyllaries with a white stripe down their center and long slender spreading spines at their tips. The corollas are pink to purplish. The fruit is a tan colored achene with a tuff of white pappus. The flowers produce abundant nectar and are visited by numerous butterflies and bees. Finches and other birds consume the seed. Tall Thistle can be grown from seed, and should be planted directly in the location where it will grow. Plants will flower in the second year. Tall Thistle prefers a moist, rich soil in full to partial sun.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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