Pronounced (approximate): KAR-doo-us NOO-tanz
Large purple flower heads often tilt downward. Broad overlapping bracts spread into sharp points.
Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans): flower details. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Asteraceae
Life cycle Biennial
Blooms June–October
Height 2 to 7 feet
Habitat sun; fields, along roads
Common names: Nodding Thistle
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
sun; fields, along roads. Flowering season: June–October.
Bull Thistle has a different, narrower bract arrangement. Nodding Thistle has broad overlapping pointed bracts and often drooping heads.
Large purple flower heads often tilt downward.
Broad overlapping bracts spread into sharp points.
Winged stems and lobed leaves are strongly spiny. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
14 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Europe.
Reported U.S. distribution
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Nodding Thistle in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.