Hill's thistle, Cirsium hillii

Hill's thistle in Hillsdale! This is a relatively rare species that just grows around the Great Lakes. There is no lore specific to Hill's, but one imagines it is much like others of ts kind. One of the more intriguing possibilities is peeling and eating the stems, although so far I haven't felt the need to eat thistles. Just as well in this case, considering its relative rarity. Some authorities include these plants in C. pumilum, in which case this is var. hillii. Hill's grows in dry sandy areas in IA, IL(T), IN(E), MI(S), MN, PA, WI(T), and ON(T). and Creek Preserve, Hillsdale Co MI, 6/17/12.