Status:
valid
Authors:
(L.) Hill
Source:
gcc
Year:
1768
Citation Micro:
Hort. Kew. : 64
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000005084
Common Names
- Cirsium
- Helen's Thistle
- Helenioides Thistle
Synonyms
- Cnicus helenioides (L.) Willd. [unknown]
- Carduus helenioides L. [unknown]
- Cirsium heterophylloides Pavlov [unknown]
- Cirsium helenioides helenioides [unknown]
- Cirsium helenioides altaicum Lomon. [unknown]
- Cnicus helenioides (L.) Retz. [unknown]
- Cirsium heterophyllum angarense Popov [unknown]
- Cirsium heterophyllum angarense Popov [unknown]
Description
Cirsium helenioides (also called 'Helenium Thistle', among many other common names) is a biennial herb native to Europe and North Africa. It has large, purple-pink flowers and spiny, grey-green leaves. It is found in grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands.
Uses & Benefits
Cirsium helenioides is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover. It is also used to attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Cirsium helenioides has white flowers with a yellow center disk. The seeds are small, black, and oblong. The seedlings have oval-shaped cotyledons and long, thin stems.
Cultivation and Propagation
Cirsium helenioides can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It is a hardy perennial and can tolerate temperatures down to -20°C. It is best to sow the seeds in the spring or summer, and they should germinate within two weeks. Division can be done in the spring or fall, and the plants should be spaced about 30 cm apart.
Where to Find Cirsium helenioides
Cirsium helenioides can be found in the western United States, from California to Montana and east to Colorado.
Cirsium helenioides FAQ
What type of plant is Cirsium helenioides?
Cirsium helenioides is a species of flowering plant in the aster family.
Where does Cirsium helenioides grow?
Cirsium helenioides is native to Europe.
What are the uses of Cirsium helenioides?
Cirsium helenioides is used as an ornamental plant and for medicinal purposes.
Species in the Cirsium genus
Cirsium steirolepis,
Cirsium oaxacanum,
Cirsium alatum,
Cirsium scariosum,
Cirsium ganjuense,
Cirsium stojanovii,
Cirsium tymphaeum,
Cirsium maroccanum,
Cirsium decussatum,
Cirsium mairei,
Cirsium aggregatum,
Cirsium brevistylum,
Cirsium wakasugianum,
Cirsium echinatum,
Cirsium obvallatum,
Cirsium bertolonii,
Cirsium borealinipponense,
Cirsium bipontinum,
Cirsium vinaceum,
Cirsium carolinianum,
Cirsium uliginosum,
Cirsium suffultum,
Cirsium crassum,
Cirsium naikurense,
Cirsium sairamense,
Cirsium lappoides,
Cirsium komarovii,
Cirsium roseolum,
Cirsium vlassovianum,
Cirsium elbrusense,
Cirsium helenioides,
Cirsium suzukaense,
Cirsium horridulum,
Cirsium skutchii,
Cirsium jaliscoense,
Cirsium schelkownikowii,
Cirsium masami-saitoanum,
Cirsium amani,
Cirsium brevifolium,
Cirsium cymosum,
Cirsium arvense,
Cirsium muticum,
Cirsium perplexans,
Cirsium pseudosuffultum,
Cirsium canescens,
Cirsium macrobotrys,
Cirsium karduchorum,
Cirsium odontolepis,
Cirsium mcvaughii,
Cirsium lineare,
Species in the Asteraceae family
Aaronsohnia pubescens,
Aaronsohnia factorovskyi,
Abrotanella filiformis,
Abrotanella rostrata,
Abrotanella linearis,
Abrotanella trilobata,
Abrotanella muscosa,
Abrotanella inconspicua,
Abrotanella trichoachaenia,
Abrotanella caespitosa,
Abrotanella nivigena,
Abrotanella pusilla,
Abrotanella linearifolia,
Abrotanella papuana,
Abrotanella rosulata,
Abrotanella emarginata,
Abrotanella fertilis,
Abrotanella spathulata,
Abrotanella purpurea,
Abrotanella patearoa,
Abrotanella submarginata,
Abrotanella diemii,
Abrotanella scapigera,
Abrotanella forsterioides,
Acamptopappus shockleyi,
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus,
Acanthocephalus benthamianus,
Acanthocephalus amplexifolius,
Acanthocladium dockeri,
Acanthodesmos distichus,
Acanthodesmos gibarensis,
Acanthospermum humile,
Acanthospermum consobrinum,
Acanthospermum glabratum,
Acanthospermum microcarpum,
Acanthospermum hispidum,
Acanthospermum australe,
Acanthospermum lecocarpoides,
Acanthostyles buniifolius,
Acanthostyles saucechicoensis,
Achillea buiana,
Achillea conrathii,
Achillea cucullata,
Achillea styriaca,
Achillea clavennae,
Achillea cappadocica,
Achillea huber-morathii,
Achillea ptarmicoides,
Achillea sieheana,
Achillea barrelieri,