Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual
General Desc:
Stout annuals, stems branching, herbage and sepals are heavily armed with yellow spines, herbage is not glandular but densely hairy with stellate (star-like) hairs. Identification notes: Very spiny plants with pinnately lobed leaves. Sepals grow larger after flowering and enclose the fruit. Herbage and flowers are not glandular; flowers and anthers are yellow. Height:
To 2-1/2 feet Habitat
Habitat Description: Roadsides, fields, overgrazed pastures and disturbed areas. Plant Communities:
Disturbed Areas Elevation: 1000 - 7500 feet Flower Characteristics
Color:
Bright yellow
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jun - Sep Description:
To 1 inch wide. Shaped like a star with 5 crinkly lobes and 5 yellow anthers in the center. Few flowers clustered along the end of spiny flower stalks.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf Color:
Dark green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Pinnatifid
Leaf Margin:
Lobed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
Y
Leaf Description:
Leaves to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide, 5 to 7 pinnate lobes, borne on stout petioles to 2 inches long. Spines on stalks and vein backs. Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit Color: Brown to reddish-brown Fruit Type: Berry-like Fruit Notes: Spiny sepals grow to enclose the fruit. Seed Notes: Seeds flattened, ovoid, dark brown and deeply pitted.
Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590