Field Thistle is a native biennial of open fields and forest edges, forming a rosette the first year and a tall, branched flower stalk in the second. Its deep purple flower heads are among the most productive nectar sources for pollinators in the late-summer landscape. American goldfinches nest near thistles and use the fluffy seeds to line their nests.
Best time to see a Field Thistle
The best time to see a Field Thistle is August–September, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,948 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Field Thistle sightings near you
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