Flower ID: IMG_0915.JPG-06-29-2017 Flower name (scientific): Cirsium arvense (Linnaeus) Scopoli PY: 1772. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) SIR-see-um ar-VEN-see Flower name (common): Canada Thistle Family name (common): Aster (Daisy) Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek kirsion, for a type of thistle. Specific epithet: Of the fields. Common name origin: Despite the name, the plant is not native to Canada. The plant was introduced into Canada in the eighteen century, probably via farm seed, and spread to the US, and hence the use of Canada in the name. Thistle is a name applied to various prickly plants, with an origin unknown. Flower description: Size: 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide. Petal count: Ray florets absent, disc florets numerous. Color: Pink (Pinkish-purple), white is uncommon. Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-flat Plant description: Erect, dioecious (plants are either male or female). Size: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 122 cm) tall Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Leaves are typically about 6 to 15 cm long but can be up to 30 cm long, and are typically about 2 cm wide, but can range from about 1 to 6 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblong to elliptic (FNA). Shape: leaf, oblong to elliptic (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced - naturalized, ecologically invasive. Restricted invasive species in Wisconsin. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas, weedy meadows, degraded prairies, sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): Some other thistles have a vague resemblance. The flower heads of Cirsium vulgare (Bull Thistle), Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle), Cirsium muticum (Swamp Thistle), and Cirsium pumilum (Hill's Thistle) are about twice as large (or larger) than the size of the heads of Cirsium arvense. Cirsium palustre (Marsh Thistle) has flower heads about the same size as Cirsium arvense, but the former has spiny winged stems and the latter does not. Differences in leaf shape, appearance of bracts, and other characteristics can help distinguish the thistle species from one another. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe employed this plant to prepare a bowel tonic (Smith, p. 364, 1932). At least four other tribes used this plant to treat various ailments (Moerman, p. 163, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Serratula arvensis Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 820. 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Cirsium arvense var. arvense (The other infraspecifics are Cirsium arvense var. alpestre Nägeli, Cirsium arvense var. integrifolium Wimmer & Grabowski, Cirsium arvense var. vestitum Wimmer & Grabowski. These two vars. have not be recorded in North America.)