Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum)

= Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum) =
Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum), a native wetland biennial, graces its habitat with tall, spiky, purple-pink blooms. Serving as a keystone species in wetlands, it provides crucial resources for pollinators and wildlife. Swamp Thistle is a fantastic choice for wetland restoration and native plant gardens. Thistles are heavily associated with Scotland and as one of Canada's native thistles Cirsium Muticum can be enjoyed by all kinds of people. However it can give a small taste of home and comfort to Scottish expats in particular.
== Sowing and Reproduction ==
Flowers are bisexual.Name That Plant Net There is no gender requirement to grow Cirsium muticum. Biennial Swamp Thistle will flower in it's second year before dropping seeds and dying.Prairie Moon Nursery 
Method
Currently unsure of best sowing method, so it's recommended to surface sow seeds or sow just slightly under the soil after stratification or in Fall.
== Cold Stratification ==
Yes, plant seeds in Fall for natural stratification or keep in the fridge for minimum 30 days.
== Harvesting ==
Seeds are produced singly in a flat, dark brown fruit about 1/10 of an inch long. Seeds produce a feathery pappus (similar to dandelion ‘seeds’) which help disperse the seeds. NC State University Wait until the thistle is brown and has a 'fluffy' head before harvesting.
== Storage ==
Dry seeds further, taking care not to let the Cirsium muticum seeds drift away. Either trim the pappus or upturn a paper plate over the seeds, or put them in a paper bag to dry. Fuzzy hair can be removed by rubbing the seeds and hair and winnowing or sieving the seeds. Store in a paper or Glassine envelope in the fridge until sowing.Wild Plants From Seed
== Toxicity ==
Unknown. Please update if you have further info.