Arizona Thistle
Cirsium arizonicum
Observed in the ponderosa forest of Upper East Verde watershead just below the Mogollon Rim, Gila Co., Arizona, USA. August 2010.
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FLOWERS: Deep red flowers subtended by a spiny involucre. Visited by
butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooming from mid summer during the rainy season.
LEAVES: Leaves silvery-green due to abundant fine silky hairs on young
leaves. Deeply toothed with sharp prickles along margins.
PERENNIAL: Usually one main stem from a root system that can survive
several seasons. Most mature, flowering plants exceed
one meter in height.
RANGE: Found in partially shaded montane habitats from California to
southern Colorado and south into Mexico.
FRUIT: The dark seeds are topped with silky white hairs that aid in wind
dispersal.
ARMED. The leaves and flower bracts have slender, sharp prickles.
Asteraceae -- Sunflower Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environemtnal Information Network
- Firefly Forest - Tucson
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search