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 Flowers Clark Springs TrSue Smith |  Leaves Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Clark Springs TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Stem Clark Springs TrSue Smith |  Stem Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Biennial or perennial
General Desc:
Stems 1 to several, erect or ascending, often hairy; flower head always appears partly open, bracts never allow it to spread into the typical wide disc shape of other thistles.
Identification notes: Stems woolly, erect, branching; cylindric flower heads of typically red (sometimes pink, orange, purple) disc flowers; spines of middle flower bracts shorter, inner bracts have elongated reddish tips; leaves are persistently densely hairy on underside.
Height:
1 to 5 feet
Habitat Description: Variety of upland habitats, including desert scrub, grasslands, juniper woodlands, and openings in conifer forests.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest
Elevation: 3000 - 9500 feet
Color:
Red to orange or pink to light purple
Shape:
Daisy or dandelion-like not in clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
May - Oct
Description:
As many as 100 flower heads per plant; each flower head, 5/8 to 2 inches long, made up of thin tubular disc flowers held tightly by layers of spiny bracts. The bracts have a central white line and are arranged in a tight spiral.
Leaf Color:
Grayish-green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Triangular
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Basal and alternate
Leaves Clasp:
Y
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
Y
Leaf Description:
Very hairy; basal leaves are 1-1/2 to 12 inches long and have spine-tipped teeth or lobes; stem leaves are usually clasping.
Fruit Color: Brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Smooth, compressed, 1/4 inch long, topped with plumose bristles.
Seed Notes: Produces seeds that are an important food source for birds, especially for Northern Cardinals and Lesser Goldfinches.
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