Hearts? What?

[Cirsium]

Cirsium means "thistle" Prickly, annoying, irritating. I'm not supposed to be getting hearts!

[Niagara]

1. I purposely look for members who have zero or have only one heart

I know I'm not the only one that does this and so...


Everyone is generally included here on DU.

[Cirsium]

2. That's great

Thanks.

[stopdiggin]

3. bah humbug! can't tell ME what to do!

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[Donkees]

4. ''Cirsium japonicum strengthens cardiac function ... "

[Cirsium]

5. Natives

I grow a couple of species for pollinator support that are native here in the Midwest Cirsium discolor and C. muticum. There is an interesting species endemic to the shores of the upper Great Lakes, C. pitcheri, "Pitcher's thistle." It is in trouble, unfortunately

[Donkees]

6. Sad to learn about C. pitcheri's habitat destruction

the high economic value of Great lakes shoreline for real estate development continues to threaten the Pitcher's thistle. Although it can be locally abundant in areas of relatively undisturbed habitat, the thistle is highly vulnerable because it is adapted to live in locations where many people would like to build vacation homes and resorts and is therefore critically threatened by anthropogenic habitat destruction. This fact, as well as its general vulnerability due to its specialized habitat and restricted range, has led to Pitcher's Thistle being federally listed as a threatened species by the U.S. government; it is also listed as either threatened or endangered at the state level.[8] In Canada it is listed as endangered at both the provincial (Ontario) and federal level.[9]