Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Cardus inamoenus, Cirsium arcuum, Cirsium utahense, Cirsium wallowense, Cirsium neomexicanum
Other common names
Utah thistle
lavender thistle
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
1 to 7 feet
Riparian
No
Erect tall biennial or perennial; basal leaf rosette first year; leaf bases extend down stems as spiny wings; flower heads squashed-ball shaped, erect, white to lavender or pink, with reflexed, spine-tipped outer bracts.
Stems stout, branching above the middle, hairy with tangled, woolly hairs. Basal leaves sessile or with winged stems, leaves reduced up the stem. Flower heads purple, pink or white, outer flower bracts reflexed (bent downward), stems without spiny wings.
Habitat
Dry slopes, plains, mesas, roadsides, canyons.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Flower head is 2 to 3 inches wide, disc flower only, thin tubular disc flowers on a spherical green base of spiny bracts; outer bracts point downwards.
Flower color
White to pink to purple
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Oblong leaves, 2-1/2 to 14 inches long, coarsely lobed with each lobe ending in a sharp spine; upper leaves are much smaller, clasping. Leaf surfaces hairy with tangled, woolly hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes topped with bristles.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Dark brown
Seeds a favorite of goldfinches.