Yellow Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Cirsium
- Species:
- Cirsium horridulum
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- Pink, Yellow
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American sunflower moth (Homoeosoma electella), Celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis), Homoeosoma pedionnastes, Rotruda mucidella, Tebenna carduiella, Little Metalmark (Calephelis virginiensis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons) Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), ⚠️Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Palamedes Swallowtail (Pterourus palamedes), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Twin-spot Skipper (Oligoria maculata), Twin-spot Skipper (Oligoria maculata), Whirlabout (Polites vibex), Whirlabout (Polites vibex)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal dunes and sandy fields