Wavyleaf Thistle

Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

rosette stage ▲

young, mature plant ▲

mature flowering plant▲

mature plant with flower bud and involucre open to disperse seed ▲

 

Wavyleaf Thistle: (pp. 116-117 in Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

·         native biennial or perennial thistle with white-hair covered, very wavy leaves in basal rosette; leaves have short yellow spines on tips

·         flowers large, pink to pinkish-purple, with short yellow spines on involucre bracts

·         found in prairie and range land, disturbed sites; can increase in population in overgrazed areas

·         can distinguish from yellowspine thistle which has longer yellow spines on leaves and involucre, and less white hairs on leaves; yellowspine thistle leaves also may be more “folded” than wavyleaf thistle