Palouse Thistle
Cirsium brevifolium
(c) Santiago Martín-Bravo, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Cirsium
- Species:
- Cirsium brevifolium
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 4-6 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug, sep, oct
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Purple
Native Range
United States: Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats in native range