Asteraceae

Saussurea americana

American Sawwort

Stems erect, leafy, with fine hairs and glands. Leaves thin, basal and on stems, largest 2–6 in. long, lance-shaped to triangular, toothed; upper leaves smaller. Inflorescence in upper leaf axils, consists of single or cluster of flower heads. Flower head with a cup of many green bracts with few long hairs, tips often blackish purple or brown; flowers 10–20, violet to dark purple or rarely white. Brownish bristles in center attach to seed. Grows in bogs, wet meadows, creeksides or wet rocky places, at high elevations.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 12--50 inches
• Habitat: Meadow, Bog/Fen/Wetland, Subalpine
• Found In: Wallowas, Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes