Pasture Thistle (Cirsium pumilum)

I'm a native of New York state.

 

I have high value for wildlife.  Bees, butterflies use my nectar.  Songbirds eat my seeds and use the tufts of my seeds for their nests. Hummigbirds are attracted to my flowers, and native bees nest in my hollow stems. 

 

I live 2-3 years and then bloom, set seed and die.  

 

My leaves have white undersides, which can distinguish me from non-native thistles who don’t share that trait.