Scientific Name | Cirsium eatonii | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CIEA |
Common Name | Eaton's Thistle, Mountaintop Thistle | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 36365 |
Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane to alpine (9500 to 13000 ft.); open areas, common on rocky alpine slopes. Plant: Upright biennial/perennial, 8 to 28+ inches tall. Leaves: Oblong leaves 1/2 to 2 inches wide and 4 to 14 inches long, deeply pinnately-lobed, with spines at the tip of each lobe; smooth or slightly hairy above, woolly-hairy below. Inflorescence: Spiny bracts around flower heads give white appearance to flowers; central disk florets lavender to purple 3/4 to 1 inch long; no ray flowers. Bloom Period: July to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SW Colorado Wildflowers and Larimer County Department of Natural Resources. |
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