Cirsium

Cirsium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is one of many genera with the common name being thistles. Other genera known as thistles include Carduus, Cynara, Onopordon, and Silybum.

Cirsium
Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Fort Custer.jpg
Cirsium vulgare
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
(unranked):
(unranked):
(unranked):
Order:
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Carduoideae
Tribe:
Cynareae
Genus:
Cirsium
Species

About 200;[1] see text

Cirsium arvense

They are mostly native to Eurasia and northern Africa. There are about 60[1] species in North America (although many species have been naturalized outside their native ranges).

Most species are considered weeds. Cirsium vulgare is listed as a weed in nine US states.[2] Some species are planted in gardens for their beauty and to attract butterflies.

Species

Hybrids
  • Cirsium × canalense - Canal Thistle
  • Cirsium × crassum - Thistle
  • Cirsium × erosum - Glory Thistle
  • Cirsium × iowense - Iowa Thistle
  • Cirsium × vancouverense - Vancouver Thistle

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Cirsium". Flora of North America.
  2. "PLANTS Profile for Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) USDA PLANTS". USDA Plant Database. USDA. Archived from the original on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-15.