Natural History

Thistles are members of the sunflower family. The plant typically grows at elevations between 5000 - 9000 feet along roadsides and in fields.  The Nodding Thistle grows to about 3 feet in height and has green, lobed leaves which grow to 8 inches in length.
 

The plant blooms between June and October and produces a round pink to lavender flowerhead which is surrounded by a series of spiny bracts.