Plant Data Sheet
Tim Haden
Species: Indian thistle, edible thistle, Cirsium edule
Range: Cascades to Coast in
Climate,
elevation: Moist climate,30 to
2100 meters, average 784
Local occurrence: Counties in
Habitat preferences: Moist meadows, clearings, forest openings usually at middle to high
elevations, Moist to mesic meadows, avalanche tracks
and open forests in the upper montane to lower alpine
zones. Slope
gradient 18 – 56 degrees
Plant strategy type: Colonizer, It is monocarpic,
growing as a low rosette of leaves for a number of years, then sending up the
tall flowering stem in spring, with the plant dying after seed maturation.
Associated species: Bull thistle, non-native or Canadian thistle,
non-native
May be collected as: Seeds and are 4-5 mm long, with a downy pappus which assists in wind dispersal..
Collection restrictions or guidelines: Mature inflorescences are brown and pappus is silver and begins to fluff out. Collect early to avoid seed predation by weevils. A monocarpic species, it grows for a number of years without flowering but then dies after flowering.
.
Seed germination: Germination usually takes
place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c. 5 month outdoor cold moist
stratification also an alternative.
Seedlings are transplanted 14 days after germination to individual containers containing
standard potting mix of peat moss, fir bark, perlite,
and sand. Sow
early spring or autumn.
Seed life: Collect mature achenes when mid September
when they turn gray in color and are easily separated from the receptacle. Seeds are pulled from heads and rubbed over a screen to remove the pappus.
Recommended seed storage
conditions: Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well
ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning.
Propagation
recommendations: Seeds, it is in flower from July to
August, and the seeds ripen from August to September, sow in early spring or
autumn in greenhouse if possible. Transplant germinants. Water with mist, but leaves rot easily
so do not over water.
Soil or medium requirements : prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and
heavy (clay) soils, prefers acid,
neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires
moist soil, SMR 4 – 7 (range 1-8).
Installation form: Seed or
germinant. An easily grown plant,
succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, germination rate
50%.
Recommended planting
density: not available
Care requirements after
installed: Water weekly, needs moist
soil, fertilize
with Nutricote (NPK 13-13-13) 3 months after
transplanting. Be careful not to over fertilize; lush foliar growth attracts
aphids.
Normal rate of
growth or spread; lifespan: Perennial growing to 2m,
grows in colonies, 3-4 years, dies after flowering.
Sources cited:
1.
2. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of
http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Cirsium+edule
3.USDA http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=CIED&mode=symbol
4. Native Seed Network: http://www.nativeseednetwork.org/viewtaxon?taxon_code=CIED
5.
Plants for a Future:
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Cirsium+edule
Data
compiled by:
Maura
Shelton May 25,
2006