Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum
(Cainville Thistle)
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4384
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4393
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4383
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4387
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4394
Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum, Rimrock Dr., Colorado National Monument, Mesa Co. 4400
| Scientific Name | Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum (Cirsium calcareum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CICA10 |
| Common Name | Cainville Thistle | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 780830 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Semi-desert and plateaus (5000 to 8400 ft.); dry, sandy soils in open areas, canyons, rocky slopes, desert scrub, and woodland openings. Plant: Perennial, 1 to 4 feet tall; single or multiple stems, erect or ascending, spiny all over, smooth to woolly. Leaves: Alternate stem leaves, blades up to 16 inches long, variable in shape but generally lanceolate overall and deeply pinnately-lobed with 1/8 to 3/8-inch long spines on edges; smooth upper surface, woolly below; sessile or clasping or decurrent. Inflorescence: Single cylindrical flowerheads at stem tips 5/8 to 2 inches long; corolla made up of thin tubular red to pink or purple disc florets resembling a brush held tightly in place by 7 to 9 layers of spiny green to reddish-purple bracts; no ray flowers. Bloom Period: June to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Yavapi County Native Plants, American Southwest and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains