FNPS Plant Database
Cirsium horridulum
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=nysy
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (2025). Plant Database: Nyssa sylvatica (Tupelo). ( https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=nysy ). Accessed 2026. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-031/430-031_pdf.pdf (salt spray tolerance)
Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H.; [Technical coordinators] 1990. Silvics of North America: Volume 2. Hardwoods. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 654 ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/1548 ).
Huegel, Craig, N. 2010. Native plant landscaping for Florida wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL. (wildlife uses)
Nelson, Gil. 2003. Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
The seeds are rich in oil, an important food source for seed-eating birds.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Citations:
Eckberg, J., E. Lee-Mader, J. Hopwood, S. Foltz Jordan, and B. Borders. (2017). Native Thistles: A Conservation Practitioner's Guide. Production Methods, and Habitat Restoration Opportunities. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR.
Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Purple thistle. Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Cirshorr ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.
Hammer, Roger. (2015). Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (2022). Plant Database: Cirsium horridulum (Bristle Thistle). ( https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CIHO2 ). Accessed 2026. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
