Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Cnicus ochrocentrus
Other common names
cardo
yellow-spine thistle
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
1 to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Erect or ascending stems arise from long persistent basal leaves, densely hairy, branches 0 or few. Leaves sessile, densely hairy white underneath, cleft into 2 to 5 spine-tipped divisions; spines long, one of the longest in Arizona. Dead stalks persist.
Flower heads of disc flowers only, located at branch tips, purple, pink, red or white, 1 to 3, up to 2 inches across; flower bracts not hairy, outer bracts taper to a yellow spine, inner bracts dilated and twisted; stems without spiny wings.
Habitat
Pinyon-juniper woods, roadsides, rangelands, disturbed areas, woodland clearings.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads are made of many disc flowers sitting on a spherical green base of very spiny bracts; spines mostly point upward.
Flower color
Pink or red or yellowish-white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are 4 to 12 inches long, narrowly elliptical, covered with matted white hairs. Each lobe ends in a long yellow spine. The bases of the stem leaves form wings.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Topped with white or tawny bristles.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown