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Appalachian Ragwort

Onopordum acanthium

—
Not native

Not native to Florida. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 18%

Height
3–9 feet

At a glance

Life cycle
Biennial

Not yet recorded · Spread · Light · Soil · Leaves · Bloom

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 1 Florida county.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including FL

Genus host records with ranges including FL · Onopordum

  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady, American Painted Lady
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae

What its natural habitat tells you

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Appalachian Rag Wort; Ed Got Me Thistle; Edgotme Thistle; Scotch Thistle; Smalls Rag Wort; Smalls Ragwort

Conservation status

Florida rankNot available
Global rankNot available
FL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources