Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Cirsium neomexicanum Gray
(New Mexico Thistle)


Family: Asteraceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Carduus neomexicanus (Gray) Greene
Cnicus ochrocentrus (Gray) Gray

Cirsium neomexicanum is our most common roadside thistle in the Gila Wilderness. It has reflexed outer phyllaries and a pale pink-purple almost spherical inflorescence that blooms early in the spring. The leaves are spiny.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Cirsium neomexicanum, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Blackhawk Canyon, May 5, 2007



Cirsium neomexicanum, fresh bud opening, photo Russ Kleinman, road 211 near Gila, April 29, 2009



Cirsium neomexicanum, closeup of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, April 30, 2009



Cirsium neomexicanum, achenes in situ, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Scott Park, May 20, 2009



Cirsium neomexicanum, closeup of achenes, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Scott Park, May 20, 2009


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