Cirsium vinaceum (Wooton & Standl.) Wooton & Standl.

Growth Form and Height

Cirsium vinaceum is a perennial herbaceous thistle that can reach up to 200 cm (80 inches) in height.

Plant Coloration

Most parts of the plant, especially its stems and inflorescences, are purple.

Rosette Leaf Characteristics

Its rosette leaves grow up to 50 cm (20 inches) long, are primarily green, and have yellow spines along their edges.

Flower Head Arrangement

Each robust individual produces many flower heads that grow on nodding, hanging branches.

Flowering Period

Flowering takes place in summer.

Flower Head Size and Involucre

Each flower head measures 3 to 5 centimeters in both width and length, with an involucre made of purple phyllaries.

Phyllary Traits

These phyllaries curve outward and taper into hard, toothed spines.

Flower Appearance

The flower head holds many hairlike pinkish-purple flowers.

Fruit and Pappus

Its fruit is an achene with a plumelike pappus that can grow up to 2 centimeters long.

Similar Species

This thistle may be similar in appearance to musk thistle, Carduus nutans.

Native Range and Elevation

This species is native to streams and seeps located at elevations of 8000 feet and higher.

Substrate and Saturation Tolerance

Plants root in water-filled cracks in the travertine rock of canyon streams, and can tolerate constant saturation.

Aquatic Growth Habit

They sometimes grow directly within streams themselves.

Surrounding Habitat

These waterways are typically surrounded by meadow habitat and Douglas-fir forests.

Associated Tree Species

Other tree species found in this habitat include Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana), and Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii).

Population Location

Many populations of Cirsium vinaceum occur within the boundaries of Lincoln National Forest.