Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Cirsium

Species:

Cirsium occidentale var. californicum

Growth Characteristics

Height:

180 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

red, purple, pink

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds, native pollinators

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from taproots following fire. Common in post-fire succession in California grasslands and chaparral margins.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds benefit from light during germination. Surface sow or barely cover with soil.

Source: Claude claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 Batch