Cirsium undulatum – Plumed Thistle

One last take on the Plumed Thistle – this time from below and in silhouette, sort of reminiscent of the torch of the Statue of Liberty – or maybe I have an overactive imagination.

Cirsium undulatum – Plumed Thistle

Yet another detailed look at the underside of the Plumed Thistle blossom, this time with a focus on the sepals beneath the petals.

Cirsium undulatum – Plumed Thistle

In case you were wondering, this photo shows the reason, in the background, why the Plumed Thistle gets its common name – the plume that sticks out from the base prior to the full opening of the blossom.

 

Cirsium undulatum – Plumed Thistle

Cirsium undulatum – Plumed Thistle

At first glance, this might be mistaken for Texas Thistle, especially this particular specimen, which has the purplish-reddish blossom that is exceptionally similar to Texas Thistle Cirsium texanum.  Or rose-lavender, if you prefer those hues.  Actually, the Plumed Thistle more often has a more creamy-white color to its blossom, which I’ll post later.