Cirsium undulatum (Waveyleaf Thistle)

Order Asterales, Family Asterceae, Genus Cirsium

Also called Waveyleaf Thistle, and having a fatal resemblance to the invasive Carduus nutans, or Nodding Thistle, this native has a rough go. It is also colonized by the insect imported to control C. Nutans. Note the fuzzy leaves which are a soft sage green, and the white stripes on the bracts. Flowers which appear to have been torn apart probably contain a "Bumble Flower Beetle" (Euphoria inda), a scarab beetle who loves nectar.

Regarding "Cirsium," Weber himself says,"This genus is very poorly understood in the Rocky Mountains, and the key has to remain very tentative."

 

Addicted to nectar!