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Mt Hamilton thistle
Scientific Name: Cirsium fontinale var. campylon
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Cirsium fontinale: The Fountain Thistle
Cirsium fontinale, commonly known as fountain thistle, is a perennial herb belonging to the sunflower family. There are several varieties, including Cirsium fontinale var. campylon, also known as the Mount Hamilton thistle.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cirsium fontinale (Greene) Jeps.
- Common Names: Fountain Thistle, Mount Hamilton Thistle, Mt. Hamilton Fountain Thistle, Mt Hamilton Thistle.
- Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
- Synonyms: Cirsium campylon
- Varieties:
- Cirsium fontinale var. campylon (H. Sharsm.) Pilz ex Keil & C. Turner
- Cirsium fontinale var. fontinale
- Element Code: PDAST2E163
Distribution and Habitat
- The Mount Hamilton thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. campylon) is found in California, specifically the Mount Hamilton Range and Diablo Range.
- It is a rare serpentine seep endemic.
- The species grows near creeks and seeps.
Ecological Role
- This plant can be found in serpentine grasslands, which support several special-status plants.
Morphological Characteristics
- The flower heads of the fountain thistle tend to bend over.
Conservation Status
- Cirsium fontinale var. campylon is considered a rare or endangered species.
- It is a candidate for federal listing.
- The plant is suspected on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The Mount Hamilton Thistle is sometimes found with Artemisia californica, Salvia mellifera, and Mimulus aurantiacus.