New Mexico thistle, Desert thistle, Lavender thistle
| Botanical Name | Cirsium neomexicanum |
| Common Name | New Mexico thistle, Desert thistle, Lavender thistle |
| Family | Asteraceae - Aster |
| Description | This native plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial. The first year its rosette is 2 – 10” across. The leaves and stems are spiny. The leaves are simple, pinnately lobed and are up to 7” long. The dead stalks of the previous year persist for some time. |
| Mature Size | Up to 6' |
| Bloom | Spring through summer. The flower is white to pale lavender or pink and is up to 3” across. Each flower head is surrounded by spine-tipped bracts. The lower outer ones point downward. The inner ones point upward and are twisted. The fruit has a bristly pappus. |
| Interesting Facts | Seeds of all species of thistle yield a good oil by expression. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Navajo and Hopi Indians are reported to use the thistle plant for medicinal purposes such as eye problems, fevers, headaches, colds and constipation. Thistles are one of the Life Medicine ingredients for the Navajo, who usually do not distinguish between the various species. |
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Photo by Janice Tucker for SFBG
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