Hill's Thistle / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Hill's Thistle (Cirsium pumilum var. hillii)

  • Global Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • State: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ON, WI
  • Nature Serve ID: 140937
  • Lifeform: Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/01/1990
Description:

Where is Hill's Thistle (Cirsium pumilum var. hillii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Prairie and other open areas with dry sandy soil

Distribution:

NA

States & Provinces:

Hill's Thistle can be found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, Wisconsin

Which CPC Partners conserve Hill's Thistle (Cirsium pumilum var. hillii)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

Approximately 400 occurrences are scattered through a range centered around the Great Lakes, from southern Ontario through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and northern Indiana; additional populations are likely to be found through ongoing inventory. Although around 100 known occurrences are thought to have excellent or good viability, many nevertheless contain small numbers of reproductive plants; the total reproductive population may not be more than 3500-4000 individuals. Thought to have declined significantly from likely historic distribution and to still be declining currently. The primary threat is habitat loss/degradation, due to conversion for agriculture and development and to fire suppression which contributes to canopy closure and litter build-up, reducing habitat suitability. Active management (e.g. prescribed fire) may be necessary to ensure long-term persistence.

  • 01/01/2010

The DNR's domographic plot contained 2 flowering plants, 25 sterile plants and many uncounted seedlings the largest concentration is found in the central northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan

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Nomenclature
Taxon Cirsium pumilum var. hillii
Authority (Canby) B. Boivin
Family Asteraceae
CPC Number 956
ITIS 533629
USDA CIHI
Duration Perennial
Common Names Hill's Thistle
Associated Scientific Names Cirsium hillii | Cirsium pumilum ssp. hillii
Distribution NA
State Rank
State State Rank
Iowa S1
Illinois S1
Indiana S1
Michigan S3
Minnesota S3
Ontario S3
Wisconsin S3
Ecological Relationships

Photos
Pollinators
Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
Bees
Bumble bees Bombus pensylvanica Confirmed Pollinator Link
Bumble bees Psithyrus variabilis Confirmed Pollinator Link
Leaf-cutting bees Megachile montivaga Confirmed Pollinator Link
Leaf-cutting bees Megachile pugnatus Confirmed Pollinator Link

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