Edible Thistle

Cirsium edule Nutt.

Aster family

Plant Type
Forb/herb
Life Cycle
Biennial, Perennial
Mature Height
10.0 feet
Flower Color
White, Pink, Purple
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer, Fall

Growing Conditions

Shade Tolerance Intolerant

Ecosystem & Wildlife

Pollinators Native Bees; Bombus; Beetles, Wasps, Flies; Butterflies

Native Range

  • USA:  Alaska, Oregon, Washington
  • CAN:  British Columbia

Regional Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

State-level native status is based on data available through Plants of the World Online. Regional Native Status comes from the USDA Plants Database. For more detailed native status information, please refer to BONAP.

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