Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Cirsium undulatum is a species of thistle known by the common names wavyleaf thistle and gray thistle. It is 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. Cirsium undulatum is widespread and found in many habitat types. It is a perennial herb exceeding 200 cm (79 in) in height. The stem branches a few times toward the top of the plant if at all. The leaves are very wavy along the edges and usually cut into shallow toothed lobes. The longest near the base of the plant are up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) long. The inflorescence holds one or more flower heads each up to 5 centimetres (2. 0 inches) long and wide. The head is lined with spiny phyllaries of different shapes. The flowers in the head are white to lavender to pink and up to 5 centimetres (2. 0 inches) long. The fruit is an achene a f

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

7 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Pink, Purple

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 12 likely

Confirmed Likely

Garden Webworm Moth

Achyra rantalis

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Oblique-Banded Leafroller Moth

Choristoneura rosaceana

Bilobed Looper Moth

Megalographa biloba