Gaze in wonder, plant enthusiasts, at a magnificent specimen of Utah thistle, aka New Mexican thistle. In fact, it is called by the cognoscenti... Cirsium neomexicanum. Personally, I think it ought to be called Cirsium utahum, but I'm prejudiced toward my adopted state.



I'd have some photos of more wildflowers around our house but I'm having difficulty identifying them. The neighbors that I ask have no idea; they take them for granted and aren't the least bit concerned with what they are. I don't like to show stuff I can't ID. Call me picky; call me odd; call me whatever you must (I'll have been called worse).



But now you know what Utah thistle looks like. I'm sure that makes your day, eh?

Comments:

They are quite beautiful. We have a similar one in Oklahoma.

I love thistles, but not in my lawn. Florida has a one with a smaller flower head. Scottish thistles are beautiful. They look a lot like the Utah ones up there, but they have taller, bluer flower heads.

Beautiful. Are the roots edible?

comment by nittineedles on July 8, 2008 10:52 PM ()

Kinda like the rose and the thorn, eh?

reply by looserobes on July 9, 2008 4:55 PM ()

Those are nice.Love the colors of them.
nice photos.
.

comment by troutbend on July 8, 2008 3:30 PM ()

They are a noxious weed in this area. If we don't control them, the county comes after us.

reply by troutbend on July 9, 2008 7:02 PM ()

The obvious question is...why does he pull 'em up?

reply by looserobes on July 9, 2008 5:00 PM ()

Today's count is 45 pulled up. They are in bloom and his efforts last year have reduced the total number.

reply by troutbend on July 9, 2008 12:13 PM ()