Onopordum acanthium
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Onopordum acanthium

Scotch cotton thistle
silver thistle

  family compositae 
  genus onopordum 

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Identification
Genus  Onopordum Species  acanthium Variety  Cultivar  Common names  Scotch cotton thistle   silver thistle Family  COMPOSITAE Specimen number  S11391 Data source  HtZn p147
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Biennial,Annual Life span    Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  6' - 9' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun Water  Dry, well drained Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  USDA zones 06a-08b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 12-07 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Onopordum acanthium can survive cold winters where the average annual low is -10� Fahrenheit. Scotch cotton thistle (also known as silver thistle) needs summer days with high heat. This plant does best in full sun. It does well in dry, well drained soils. This species can survive short periods of drought.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  yes Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Self sows Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Onopordum acanthium easily self-sows from last year's seeds.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Leaves: Onopordum acanthium has spiny stiff leaves. Flowers: Scotch cotton thistle (locally known in some parts as silver thistle) has globe shaped, fuzzy, prickly blossoms. Blossoms appear in May and continue through August. Typically the blossoms are either purple or white.

Page 3296 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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