Field guide plate · click to zoom
Carduus nutans
Carduus nutans
In the United States:
Invasive
· also called musk thistle, nodding thistle
Listed as invasive. Check local regulations — several jurisdictions restrict planting.
Honeybees visit musk thistle extensively for its abundant nectar and pollen, often producing a surplus honey flow during peak bloom. Individual plants bloom for several weeks in early to midsummer, with flowers attracting foragers on sunny days. As a tall biennial, stems may require support in windy sites, and it thrives in disturbed soils but can become weedy without control.
| Nectar | high |
|---|---|
| Pollen | high |
| Bloom (US) | June–August |
| Duration | ~45 days |
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | full |
Reported nearby
No reports nearby in the last 14 days.
Sign in to report this plant blooming nearby.