Where Does Thistle Thrive?

Thistle is a favorite host plant for Painted Lady caterpillars. Thistle flowers are a favorite nectar source for Painted Lady butterflies, monarchs, skippers, swallowtails and fritillary butterflies. Thistles also provide important food for goldfinches and other thistle-feeding birds. Additionally, hummingbirds will feed on the nectar of the large-flowered species.

Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants that have leaves with sharp prickles along the edge. Prickles might also be all over the plant. These prickles protect the plant from being eaten by herbivores. Thistles are native plants in North America, Europe, Asia and northern Africa.