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Cirsium

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iCirsium
Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle)
Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Lactucoideae
Tribe: Cardueae
Genus: Cirsium
Species

See text.

Cirsium is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Asteraceae, one of several genera known popularly as thistles.

They are known for their effusive flowered heads (usually purple, rose, yellow, or white). The radially symmetrical disk flowers are situated at the end of the branches. They have erect, prickly stems and leaves, with a characteristic focal point at the base of the flower which is particularly spiny. The leaves are alternate and can be slightly hairy; Their stem wings can be lacking (Cirsium arvensis), conspicuous (Cirsium vulgare), or inconspicuous. They can spread by seed and rhizome (Cirsium arvensis) or by seed alone. Their seed has tiny tufts of hair, which can carry them far by wind.

Cirsium thistles are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species - see list of Lepidoptera which feed on Cirsium.

Most species are considered weeds, but some are cultivated in gardens for their aesthetic value, and blessed thistle is believed to be a galactagogue. Some common species: Cirsium lanceolatum, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium oleraceum.

The word 'Cirsium' derives from the Greek word kirsos, meaning 'swollen vein'. Thistles were used as a remedy against swollen veins.

[edit] Species

Bumblebee on thistle flower
Hybrids
  • Cirsium × canalense - Canal Thistle
  • Cirsium × crassum - Thistle
  • Cirsium × erosum - Glory Thistle
  • Cirsium × iowense - Iowa Thistle
  • Cirsium × vancouverense - Vancouver Thistle
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