Asteraceae

Cirsium peckii

Steens Mountain Thistle

Erect stem single, unbranched, with long straight hairs. Leaves hairless or with few hairs on midrib, lance-shaped, deeply divided, with yellow spines on lobe points. Lowest leaves 6–8 in. long. Flower heads clustered at leaf base along upper stem and at top. Bowl-shaped cup is 1–2 in. high, loosely haired, bract tips tapering to long yellow spines. Flowers light lavender. Grows in streambanks, disturbed soils. Endemic to Steens Mountain, where it is common along the loop road above 6000 ft., and in Pueblo Mountains in southeastern Oregon.

• Rarity: Endemic
• Flowering Time: All Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 2--4 feet
• Habitat: East-Side Forest, Subalpine, Disturbed
• Found In: Steens
• Native: Yes