Ontario Wildflowers website

Field Thistle
Cirsium discolor

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) Other scientific names: Carduus discolor, Cnicus discolor

French names: Chardon discolore

Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Group: Thistles

Similar species:
  •   Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum)


Flowers: Summer;  Blue/Violet;  Indistinguishable parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 430   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: discolor: two-coloured


Photographs: 162 photographs available, of which 12 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle flower head.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

A fully open Field Thistle flower head.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Closer view of a flower head.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle flower head just starting to open.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle flower head in bud.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle leaf.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle leaf, underside.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle stalks.

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

An entire Field Thistle plant.


Range map for Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)