Cirsium discolor

Field Thistle has incredible value to wildlife as a food source. Native bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds flock to the blooms of this plant for its sweet nectar. Songbirds eat the seeds, while Goldfinches are particularly fond of them. Not to be confused with aggressive non-native bull thistle, which blooms earlier in spring, this species is a treat for wildlife and is far less prickly. Starting as a basal rosette of leaves, it ascends to ten feet tall in prairies, old fields, savannas, and along roadsides. As a biennial, it blooms in late summer to fall in its second year with bright flowers that make a bold statement. Flowers are disk shaped with needle-like spines that are pink to purple, but in rare cases can be white. After blooming, its short life ends, and it spreads seeds that will grow into the next generation. In winter, bees nest in hollow stems. To support stem-nesting bees, cut stems at 12 to 24 inches and let them disintegrate on their own. The deep tap root of this plant makes it more drought tolerant. In addition to astonishing support for wildlife, it is a larval host for Painted Lady butterflies and is deer resistant.