Asteraceae

Cirsium brevistylum

Short Styled Thistle

Erect plant, usually 1 stem branched above middle. Stem cobweb-hairy especially just under flower head. Leaves shallowly lobed, slightly hairy above, with denser short gray hair below. Lower leaves are 6–10 in. long, tapering to winged, spiny stalks. Upper leaves small with slender spines, clasping main stem. Flower heads round, clustered at stem ends, sessile, with bract-like spiny leaves at base of each head. Cup about 1 in. high, with cobwebby hairs. Flowers pink to red-purple. Grows in moist soils at low elevations.

• Rarity: Common
• Flowering Time: All Summer
• Life Cycle: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
• Height: 1--7 feet
• Habitat: Coastal, Meadow, West-Side Forest
• Found In: N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes