Compilation
Cnicus carlinoides

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Name

Identification
Isotype of Cnicus carlinoides Fisch. ex Schrank [family ASTERACEAE ] (stored under name); Verified by Not on sheet,
Related name
  • Cirsium scleranthum
  • Cnicus americanus
  • Cirsium drummondii
  • Cirsium clavatum
  • Cirsium carlinoides
  • Cnicus carlinoides
Common name
  • Rocky Mountain fringed thistle, Flora of North America Vol. 19

Flora

Entry for Cirsium clavatum (M. E. Jones) Petrak var. americanum (A. Gray) D. J. Keil [family COMPOSITAE]
Herbarium
Flora of North America (FNA)
Collection
Flora of North America
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 19,
Names
Cirsium clavatum (M. E. Jones) Petrak var. americanum (A. Gray) D. J. Keil [family COMPOSITAE], Sida, 21: 211. 2004
Cnicus carlinoides Schrank var. americanus A. Gray [family COMPOSITAE], Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts, 10: 48. 1874
Cirsium centaureae (Rydberg) K. Schumann [family COMPOSITAE]
Cirsium griseum (Rydberg) K. Schumann [family COMPOSITAE]
Cirsium laterifolium (Osterhout) Petrak [family COMPOSITAE]
Cirsium modestum (Osterhout) Cockerell [family COMPOSITAE]
Cirsium scapanolepis Petrak [family COMPOSITAE]
Cirsium spathulifolium Rydberg [family COMPOSITAE]
Treatment Author(s)
David J. Keil
Information
Abaxial leaf faces ± tomentose. Involucres ovoid to campanulate, 1.5–3 × 1.5–3 cm, glabrous or thinly arachnoid-tomentose with fine, non-septate trichomes. Phyllaries in 5–6 series, strongly imbricate to subequal, green or with maroon to dark brown subapical patch or appendage, linear to ovate, abaxial faces with narrow glutinous ridge; outer and middle bases appressed, apical appendages erect or ascending, linear-lanceolate to obovate, entire or more commonly dilated, scarious, and erose-toothed to fringed, acicular-acuminate to broadly obtuse, spines erect or ascending, 1–6 mm, often flattened; apices of inner sometimes flexuous or reflexed, narrow, flat, and entire or more commonly ± expanded, scarious, and lacerate-dentate. 2n = 34, 36 (as C. centaureae).
Phenology
jun-aug (summer), sep (fall)
Altitude range
2100–3100 m;
Distribution
USA Colo.USA UtahUSA Wyo.
Discussion
Variety americanum is scattered in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Wyoming and Colorado. The varietal epithet americanum was based upon syntypes from both Colorado and California. The latter are referable to Cirsium remotifolium.
Variations in leaf characteristics, head size, and phyllary features combined with a narrow species concept led Osterhout and Rydberg to propose several species and hybrids for what I am treating as one taxon. Variety americanum certainly is polymorphic and in need of further study focused on local and regional variation. It is possible that some of the local variants in Colorado may deserve taxonomic recognition, but I have been unable to detect consistent patterns in the variation. Some specimens from Route and Jackson counties there closely approach var. clavatum. Others from southeastern Wyoming approach Cirsium pulcherrimum var. pulcherrimum and may be hybrids or derivatives of past hybridization.

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