Scientific Name | Cirsium scariosum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CISC2 |
Common Name | Meadow Thistle | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 36143 |
Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane to subalpine (7000 to 12500 ft.); moist open areas; meadows, along streams and roadsides. Plant: Stemless or upright biennial/perennial, up to 40 inches tall; fleshy, thick single or multiple stalks branched from near base. Leaves: Basal and stem leaves, linear to elliptic 4 to 16 inches long, very wavy, shallow or deeply pinnately-lobed with a broad central midstrip; sessile; smooth above and woolly-hairy below; spiney. Inflorescence: Dense clusters of one to many flower heads; white to light lavender disk florets 3/4 to 1-3/8 inches long; pointed phyllaries with spines and teeth; no ray flowers. Bloom Period: June to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and others. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County