trefle.io · Taken Jul 17, 2020 by Kai Pankatz (cc-by-sa)
Asteraceae
Elk thistle
Cirsium foliosum
Also known as Rocky Mountain thistle, Evert's thistle, Cirsium, Cnicus foliosus
Flowering Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Elk Thistle · Native Thistle · Wildflower · Asteraceae · Cirsium · Pollinator Plant · Mountain Plant · North American Native · Wildlife Garden · Medicinal
Elk thistle is a robust native perennial of western North America, thriving in mountain meadows and open woodland edges with partial shade and average moisture. It is low-maintenance once established and produces showy purple flowerheads that are highly attractive to pollinators and seed-eating birds. Its edible roots and stalks have a history of use by indigenous peoples of the Rocky Mountain region.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately; plant is adapted to moist mountain soils but tolerates brief dry spells · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.2
- Temperature
- -40°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 3a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- White
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territorie, Wyoming, Yukon
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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