Cirsium rivulare aka Cirsium Rivulare

Taxonomy

Cirsium rivulare, also known as brook loving thistle, is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. Native to eastern and western Europe, it is adventive in Britain and naturalised in Sweden and Belgium. This erect herbaceous perennial grows up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall, forming clumps with narrow grey-green prickly leaves. In early to midsummer, it produces small purple globular flowerheads. The cultivar Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' has deep crimson flowers and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is highly hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as −20 °C (−4 °F), and thrives in full sun. Furthermore, it attracts pollinators and its seed heads serve as a food source for finches. As a houseplant, Cirsium rivulare requires regular watering and thrives in long-lasting, direct light within one foot of a window. Well-draining soil is preferred, and it can benefit from organic fertilizer during the peak growing season.

Common names

Cirsium Rivulare, Brook Thistle

How to care for Cirsium Rivulare

Water

Cirsium Rivulare should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Cirsium Rivulare loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Cirsium Rivulare thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Brook Thistle.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.


More info:
Wikipedia