Eaton's thistle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eaton's thistle |
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| Cirsium eatonii var. clokeyi in Southern Nevada |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cirsium
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| Species: |
eatonii
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Carduus leiocarpus A.Heller
Carduus leiocephalus (D.C.Eaton) A.Heller Cirsium eatonii var. harrisonii S.L.Welsh Cirsium eriocephalum var. leiocephalum D.C.Eaton Cnicus eatonii A.Gray Carduus hookerianus var. eriocephalus (A.Gray) A.Nelson, syn of var. eriocephalum Carduus scopulorum Greene, syn of var. eriocephalum Cirsium eriocephalum A.Gray 1864 not Wallr. 1840, syn of var. eriocephalum Cirsium hookerianum var. eriocephalum (A.Gray) A.Nelson, syn of var. eriocephalum Cirsium scopulorum (Greene) Cockerell, syn of var. eriocephalum Cirsium scopulorum (Greene) Cockerell ex Daniels, syn of var. eriocephalum Cnicus eriocephalus A.Gray, syn of var. eriocephalum Carduus hesperius A.Heller, syn of var. hesperium Carduus hookerianus var. hesperius (Eastw.) A.Nelson, syn of var. hesperium Cirsium hesperium (Eastw.) Petr., syn of var. hesperium Cnicus hesperius Eastw., syn of var. hesperium Carduus polyphyllus Rydb., syn of var. murdockii Carduus tweedyi Rydb., syn of var. murdockii Cirsium murdockii (S.L.Welsh) Cronquist, syn of var. murdockii Cirsium polyphyllum (Rydb.) Petr., syn of var. murdockii Cirsium tweedyi (Rydb.) Petr., syn of var. murdockii Cirsium peckii L.F.Hend., syn of var. peckii |
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Cirsium eatonii, also known as Eaton's thistle or mountaintop thistle, is a type of flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the aster family, which includes many familiar flowers like sunflowers and daisies. You can find this plant growing in states like Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.
What is Eaton's Thistle Like?
Eaton's thistle can look quite different depending on where it grows. It's an upright plant, meaning it stands tall, and can grow up to 150 centimeters (about 5 feet) high in some places. The whole plant is usually covered in spines, which are sharp points, making it a bit prickly!
Each plant produces several flower heads. These flowers can be pink, purple, or even yellow. Eaton's thistle likes to grow in high places, such as grasslands, areas with sagebrush, and open forests.
Different Kinds of Eaton's Thistle
Scientists have found several slightly different types, or "varieties," of Eaton's thistle. These varieties often have unique names and are found in specific regions:
- Cirsium eatonii var. clokeyi - This one is called Clokey thistle or white-spine thistle and is found in Nevada.
- Cirsium eatonii var. eatonii - This variety is found in Nevada and Utah.
- Cirsium eatonii var. eriocephalum - Known as alpine thistle or mountain thistle, it grows in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
- Cirsium eatonii var. hesperium - This is the tall mountain thistle, found in Colorado.
- Cirsium eatonii var. murdockii - Called northern mountain thistle, it's found across many states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Cirsium eatonii var. peckii - This variety is known as ghost thistle or Steens Mountain thistle and grows in Nevada and Oregon.
- Cirsium eatonii var. viperinum - This is the Snake Range thistle, found in Nevada.
