Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Breea arvensis, Carduus arvensis, Cirsium incanum, C. ochrolepidium , C. setosum and more see SEINET.
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
12 to 39 inches
Riparian
No
New stems arise from deep creeping roots, resulting in patches of plants; stems slender, smooth, branched above; male, female flowers usually on separate plants; spiny leaves, stems topped by single flower heads of disc flowers only.
Colonies of plants from creeping roots; stems not winged; basal and stem leaves narrow, usually lobed, lobes spine tipped; flower heads of disc flowers only, single or in stemmed clusters, male and female flower heads usually on separate plants.
Habitat
Disturbed sites, fields, pastures, roadsides, forest openings.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
8530
Flower Characteristics
1 to several flower heads at ends of stems; female flower heads urn-shaped, less than 1 inch across; male flower heads smaller and rounder; smooth green bracts below flowers look like small green leaves or scales; plants usually all female or all male.
Flower color
Pinkish-purple, white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Grooved, upright, hollow, woody stems, branch near top; alternate, lance-shaped leaves, dark green, shiny surface, slightly clasping stem; lower leaves largest, size decreases upward; leaf edges smooth to irregularly lobed, spiny margined.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1/4 inch long; tufted with long white hairs.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown