Top native thistles and allies
13 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.
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Bristle Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
caterpillars
25
bees
10
hosts
1
food
14
flowers
164
-
Field Thistle
Cirsium discolor
caterpillars
22
bees
9
hosts
1
food
17
flowers
148
-
Swamp Thistle
Cirsium muticum
caterpillars
22
bees
9
hosts
1
food
13
flowers
113
-
Tall Thistle
Cirsium altissimum
caterpillars
21
bees
10
hosts
1
food
15
flowers
139
-
Pasture Thistle
Cirsium pumilum
caterpillars
19
bees
9
hosts
1
food
11
flowers
126
-
Pitcher's Thistle
Cirsium pitcheri
caterpillars
19
bees
5
hosts
1
food
9
flowers
86
-
Texas Thistle
Cirsium texanum
caterpillars
14
bees
7
hosts
1
food
13
flowers
88
-
New Mexico Thistle
Cirsium neomexicanum
caterpillars
13
bees
15
hosts
1
food
13
flowers
123
-
Short-styled Thistle
Cirsium brevistylum
caterpillars
12
bees
18
food
10
flowers
99
-
Wheeler's Thistle
Cirsium wheeleri
caterpillars
12
bees
12
hosts
1
food
10
flowers
96
-
Mojave Thistle
Cirsium mohavense
caterpillars
12
bees
13
food
9
flowers
106
-
Edible Thistle
Cirsium edule
caterpillars
11
bees
18
food
10
flowers
93
-
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale
caterpillars
10
bees
14
food
14
flowers
109