Parry's Thistle
Cirsium parryi
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Most people are surprised to learn that there are actually native thistles. Cirsium Parry is one of these. It is fairly common in open, moist woods and in the southern mountains of Colorado.
"Cirsium" is a Greek word for a kind of thistle. Charles Parry was one of the giants of 19th century botany and is known as the "King of Colorado Botany."
meadow -- Large grass and wildflower filled area with few, if any, trees.
phyllaries -- Leaflike bracts covering the flowers before opening and remaining under the flower after it opens. Also called "bracts". Only used with the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
spine -- a stiff, sharp structure formed by the modification of a plant organ that contains vascular tissue. A spine can be formed by a latteral branch, a modified leaf or a thorn.
achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.
fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.
lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.
A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.