Cirsium discolor (Native)

Habitat: Found in moist to dry soils of prairies, pastures, old fields, roadsides, savannas and forest edges. 

Wildlife value: Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, moths and beetles are attracted to this plant due to the abundant nectar. Many other species will also use other plant parts for food, including the leaves, stems, roots, flower heads and seeds. Songbirds, especially finches, will eat the seeds

Notes: Sometimes people mistake this plant for the aggressive European bull thistle and try to eradicate it. Bull thistle blooms in the spring rather than later summer, both leaf surfaces are green rather than whitish undersides and have many more spines.