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The Thistle
The Thistle botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

The Thistle

Scientific name pending
In the United States: Naturalized · also called bull thistle, spear thistle

Thistles produce abundant nectar that supports honey production during summer flows, with bees visiting the purple flower heads primarily for nectar though some pollen is collected. Bloom occurs over an extended period with successive flower heads. Plants are spiny and may require management in gardens due to their tendency to spread by seed.

Nectarlow
Pollenlow
Bloom (US) June–September
Duration~2 months
TypePerennial
Sunfull

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