birdrman
Thistle Light
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a prickly wildflower native of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1800s and is now very common. A member of the Sunflower family, Bull Thistles can be found growing in fields, gardens, and roadsides.
The Bull Thistle is a biennial plant, which means it lives for two years and then dies. The first year it grows a rosette, a cluster of leaves near the ground. The second year it produces purple to pink flowers from July to September. The resulting fruits produce "thistledown," small seeds with fluffy material. These type of seeds (achenes) are transported by the wind.
Despite the fact the Bull Thistle is distasteful to most grazing animals, and is considered a noxious weed in nine states, the plants remain a good food source for many wild animals. Eastern Cottontails and White-tailed Deer eat the leaves and stems. Flower nectar is consumed by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The seeds are popular with many birds, such as American Goldfinches and Juncos, as well as mice and other small mammals.
Thistle Light
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a prickly wildflower native of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1800s and is now very common. A member of the Sunflower family, Bull Thistles can be found growing in fields, gardens, and roadsides.
The Bull Thistle is a biennial plant, which means it lives for two years and then dies. The first year it grows a rosette, a cluster of leaves near the ground. The second year it produces purple to pink flowers from July to September. The resulting fruits produce "thistledown," small seeds with fluffy material. These type of seeds (achenes) are transported by the wind.
Despite the fact the Bull Thistle is distasteful to most grazing animals, and is considered a noxious weed in nine states, the plants remain a good food source for many wild animals. Eastern Cottontails and White-tailed Deer eat the leaves and stems. Flower nectar is consumed by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The seeds are popular with many birds, such as American Goldfinches and Juncos, as well as mice and other small mammals.