Cirsium scariosum, post-bloom, August 31, 2022
Common & scientific name
Elk thistle, Cirsium scariosum
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location:
Henschel Lake, 12,600’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This wonderfully-whacky thistle is uncommon on the Pass, but is always a treat to find. It’s flowers are always stemless, whether the plant stands several feet tall or just 6” off the ground. Its leaves are light green. When it is in the form shown here, a flat, stemless rosette with whitish-purple flowers clustered in the center, it looks like a giant sunflower. Beautiful, no?