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Rothrock's thistle
Scientific Name: Cirsium rothrockii
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Biennial
Other Names:
Cirsium arizonicum and Cirsium rothrockii: A Closer Look
This page provides information on two species of thistle: Cirsium arizonicum (Arizona thistle) and Cirsium rothrockii (Rothrock's thistle). Thistles belong to the genus Cirsium, part of the Asteraceae family. Thistles are non-woody plants or forb/herbs.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- As a thistle, this plant has thorns.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cirsium arizonicum (Arizona Thistle), Cirsium rothrockii (Rothrock's Thistle)
- Common Names: Arizona Thistle, Rothrock's Thistle, Rose-Color Thistle
- Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
- Rank: Species and Variety
- Cirsium arizonicum (A. Gray) Petr. – Arizona thistle
- Cirsium arizonicum var. rothrockii (A. Gray) D.J. Keil – Rothrock's thistle
- Synonyms: Cnicus rothrockii A. Gray
- Alternative combinations: Cirsium arizonicum var. rothrockii (A. Gray) D.J. Keil
Distribution and Habitat
- Cirsium arizonicum is native to North America, including Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora.
- Cirsium arizonicum var. tenuisectum can be found in the desert mountains of California, Nevada, and Sonora.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cirsium rothrockii is a biennial forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
Traditional Uses
- Rothrock's Thistle (Cirsium rothrockii) was traditionally used by the Navajo, Kayenta as a febrifuge (a drug to reduce fevers) for fevers caused by injuries.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Cirsium thistles are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) species.
- Bees pollinate thistles.