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Native thistles for birds and pollinators of North America.

 
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Good morning folks! I've grown some prairie or pasture thistle previously and the goldfinches and others liked it so much. These plants are native to the Midwest prairies. You all have any native thistles in your part of the continent? I'd like to find out more native ones from coast to coast. Please shoot me some pictures and stuff so I can be edified. Thanks!
 
steward
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I have native thistle on my place.  I haven't paid much attention to what the name is or I might have just forgot.

These grow about three to four feet tall and have large pink blooms.

Those are may favorite flower for drying.

I have seen butterflies that like them though I haven't seen birds because they are where viewing is not really good.
 
Blake Lenoir
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Greetings! Glad you came. Thistles are a key food source for goldfinches and other birds as well as butterflies and bees. If bill thistles and other non native ones are invasive and conquer native habitat, what should we do to combat the non native ones and replace them with less invasive native ones? I've seen goldfinches and other birds feast on the seeds, as well as hummingbirds and other pollinators feasting on the nectar of the flowers at my community farm.
 
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I took these pictures back in late July. I am not sure what kind of thistle it is.
IMG_20240902_140254.jpg
Butterfly on thistle
Butterfly on thistle
IMG_20240902_140252.jpg
Butterfly on thistle
Butterfly on thistle
 
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