BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Cirsium neomexicanum | Lavender Thistle 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Lavender thistle is a native biennial herb [5,12,19].  It is robust,
erect or ascending, moderately to much branched, and 5 to 8 feet
(1.5-2.5 m) tall [14].  The basal leaves are oblong and form a rosette 2
to 10 inches (5-25 cm) broad [14,19].  The petioles of the lower leaves
are narrowly winged and spiny and the upper leaves are sessile [14].
The dead stalks of the previous year persist for some time [19].  The
flowering heads are solitary to few, at the end of a stem or branch [6].
The fruit is an achene with a bristly pappus 0.6 to 0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm)
long [14].  It has a taproot.


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Hemicryptophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Information is not available regarding the regeneration processes of
lavender thistle.  Because it is a biennial herb it probably only
regenerates by seed.  The genus Cirsium is widespread and variable so
inferences about lavender thistle from other Cirsium species may not be
valid.


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Lavender thistle is commonly found in sandy to gravelly washes, and on
dry, rocky slopes, mesas, canyon sides, and plains and foothills
[5,6,12,14,18].  It occurs at the following elevations:

southern California - 3,000 to 6,000 feet (900-1,800 m) [12]
Colorado - 4,500 to 6,500 feet (1,400-2,000 m) [6]
Arizona - 1,000 to 6,500 feet (300-2,000 m) [8]


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Lavender thistle usually flowers from April to May [5,12].

Related categories for Species: Cirsium neomexicanum | Lavender Thistle