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Cirsium undulatum - (Nutt.)Spreng.

Common Name Wavy-Leaved Thistle, Tracy's thistle
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry open soils[43]. Prairies, pastures and roadsides in Texas[274].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cirsium undulatum Wavy-Leaved Thistle, Tracy


Cirsium undulatum Wavy-Leaved Thistle, Tracy
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 550.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cirsium undulatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil  Root  Stem
Edible Uses: Oil

Root - raw or cooked[46, 61, 105, 161, 257]. One of the more palatable thistles, it is used as a vegetable or can be added to soups and stews[212, 257]. It can be dried and stored for winter use[257]. The root is likely to be rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. This starch thus passes straight through the digestive system and, in some people, ferments to produce flatulence[K]. Stems - peeled and eaten raw or cooked[161, 212, 257]. One of the more palatable thistles[212].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Ophthalmic  VD

A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[257]. A cold infusion of the root has been used as a wash for eye diseases[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[4]. No details of potential yields etc are given[K].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c[164].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Gray thistle, Wavyleaf thistle, Wavy-Leaved Thistle, Tracy's thistle

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Native to much of central and western North America from British Columbia east to Manitoba and south as far as the State of Durango in Mexico. It has also been found outside of its native range as an introduced species.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. It is a weed in California and Northwestern Mexico. Know as a Noxious Weed in: Arkansas, California and Iowa, USA

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cirsium acaulonStemless ThistlePerennial0.3 4-8  LMHNM012
Cirsium amplexifoliumDakiba-Hime-AzamiPerennial1.5 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium arvenseCreeping Thistle, Canada thistlePerennial0.9 4-7 FLMHNM222
Cirsium brevicaule Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium brevistylumIndian Thistle, Clustered thistlePerennial1.8 0-0  LMHSNM302
Cirsium buergeri Perennial1.8 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium chinense Perennial0.8 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium coreanum Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM102
Cirsium dipsacolepis Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium eatoniEaton's ThistlePerennial0.5 -  LMHNDM112
Cirsium eduleEdible ThistlePerennial2.0 6-9  LMHNM302
Cirsium eriophorumWooly ThistleBiennial1.5 5-9  LMHNM202
Cirsium foliosumElk thistlePerennial0.6 5-9  LMHNMWe302
Cirsium hookerianumWhite ThistlePerennial1.5 -  LMHNM202
Cirsium japonicumNo-Azami, Japanese thistleBiennial/Perennial0.9 5-9  LMHNM222
Cirsium kamtschaticumKamchatka thistlePerennial1.8 0-0  LMHNM102
Cirsium lepskyle Perennial0.0 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium lineare Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium maackii Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium maritimum Perennial0.4 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium nipponicum Perennial1.5 -  LMHNM112
Cirsium occidentaleCobwebby Thistle, Snowy thistle, Compact cobwebby thistlePerennial1.0 8-11  LMHNDM202
Cirsium ochrocentrumYellow Spined ThistlePerennial1.5 0-0  LMHNDM222
Cirsium oleraceumCabbage ThistlePerennial1.2 -  LMHSNMWe202
Cirsium oligophyllum Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM202
Cirsium pallidumPale ThistlePerennial0.0 -  LMHNM112
Cirsium palustreMarsh ThistleBiennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNMWe202
Cirsium pectinellum Perennial1.5 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium pendulum Biennial1.8 -  LMHNM102
Cirsium purpuratum Perennial1.0 -  LMHNM102
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Nutt.)Spreng.

Botanical References

43235

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Subject : Cirsium undulatum  
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