Saussurea americana
Asteraceae
American Sawwort
Stems erect, leafy, with fine hairs and glands. Leaves thin, basal and on stems, largest 2–6 in. long, lance-shaped to triangular, toothed; upper leaves smaller. Inflorescence in upper leaf axils, consists of single or cluster of flower heads. Flower head with a cup of many green bracts with few long hairs, tips often blackish purple or brown; flowers 10–20, violet to dark purple or rarely white. Brownish bristles in center attach to seed. Grows in bogs, wet meadows, creeksides or wet rocky places, at high elevations.
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Flowering Time: Mid Summer
- Flower Form: Smooth leaves, Thistle
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 12–50 inches
- Habitat: Bog/Fen/Wetland, Meadow, Subalpine
- Found In: Mt. Rainier NP, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Wallowas
- Native: Yes
