October 2008

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FACE="Arial" >Field Thistle</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Latin Name: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>Cirsium discolor </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >[Pronounced: "SIRR-see-uhm   DIS-cul-er"]</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Type of Plant: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#777777" FACE="Arial" >Perennial Forb</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Identification Helps: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >This tall thistle has a characteristic, usually single  flower (see photo to the left) in July through September. The plant can be up to 6-ft tall. Leaves are as shown.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Preferred Growing Conditions in the Wild:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#339933" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Field thistle grows in both prairies and other non-prairie old-field habitats. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Preferred Soils:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#339933" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Field thistle grows on mesic to slightly hydric soils. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Seasons of Growth and Bloom:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#339933" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Blooms from July through October, but primarily in July and August.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Natural Distribution in Ohio:<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#339933" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Found in all major Ohio prairies, and elsewhere in Ohio.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Description and General Information: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Because this species grows in many non-prairie environments in Ohio, often in un-mowed old fields, many would regard this plant as a mere weed, not a real Ohio prairie plant. But this is one of a few native prairie plants that are able to invade and grow in disturbed or unmowed old fields outside of original prairie areas. Only a few prairie species can do this.</FONT></div> </td> </tr></table></body>