The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California

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Names are linked to treatments from the Manual


Key to CIRSIUM

N.B.: couplets are linked, e.g., 1. is linked to 1'.

  1. Flowers unisexual (dioecious); heads generally 1–1.5 cm
C. arvense
  1' Flowers bisexual; heads generally > 1.5 cm
 
    2. Leaf surfaces harshly bristly above; stems spiny-winged
C. vulgare
    2' Leaf surfaces glabrous to tomentose above; stems wingless or ± short-winged
 
      3. Heads nodding; leaf surface ± glandular-puberulent above
C. fontinale
        4. Fruit 4–5 mm; phyllary spines 1–2 mm; sw San Francisco Bay Area
var. fontinale
        4' Fruit ± 3.5–4 mm; phyllary spines 2–6 mm; eastern San Francisco Bay Area, c Outer South Coast Ranges
 
          5. Cauline leaves with larger spines 10–18 mm; most outer phyllaries with 0 marginal spines; eastern San Francisco Bay Area
var. campylon
          5' Cauline leaves with larger spines 4–7 mm; many outer phyllaries with marginal spines; c Outer South Coast Ranges
var. obispoense
      3' Heads generally erect; leaf surface not glandular above
 
        6. Outer phyllary margins spiny-fringed or with expanded, scarious appendages
 
          7. Corollas 30–45 mm, generally red to rose-purple; inner phyllaries long, straight, entire, purple-tipped
3 C. andersonii
          7' Corollas 16–30 mm, white to purple; inner phyllaries often ± crinkled, sometimes with expanded, scarious appendages, generally not purple-tipped
 
            8. Heads generally not closely subtended by clustered leafy bracts, each often subtended by 1 leaf
 
              9. Phyllary midribs conspicuously sticky-glandular; outer phyllary margins minutely spiny-ciliate
2 C. hydrophilum
                10. Heads generally 2.5–3 cm; fruit ± 5 mm; deltaic Great Central Valley (Suisun Marsh)
var. hydrophilum
                10' Heads generally 3–3.5 cm; fruit 4–5 mm; n San Francisco Bay Area (Mount Tamalpais)
var. vaseyi
              9' Phyllary midribs not glandular (or inner inconspicuously glandular); outer phyllary margins generally ± conspicuously fringed or spiny-ciliate
 
                11. Biennial, stout, generally 10–30 dm; stem base 2–10 cm diam, hollow; middle and inner phyllaries entire; San Joaquin Valley
2 C. crassicaule
                11' Perennial, slender, generally 1–11 dm; stem base generally < 2 cm diam, not hollow; middle and inner phyllaries often with fringed appendages; Northwestern California, n Central Western California
4 C. remotifolium
            8' Heads generally closely subtended by clustered, ± leafy bracts
 
              12. Leaves closely gray-white-tomentose (felt-like) on both surfaces, very prominently wavy-margined; corollas white or pale yellow — dunes, headlands, s Central Coast
C. rhothophilum
              12' Leaves glabrous to cobwebby-tomentose above, sometimes white-tomentose below, flat to wavy-margined; corollas white to purple
 
                13. Phyllaries conspicuously cobwebby-tomentose
 
                  14. Upper leaves ± stiff, strongly spiny, spines stout, often 10–15 mm; most outer phyllaries spiny-margined; s North Coast, n Central Coast
C. andrewsii
                  14' Upper leaves thin, ± weakly spiny, spines slender, generally < 8 mm; few outer phyllaries spiny-margined; North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, CC, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast
2 C. brevistylum
                13' Phyllaries ± glabrous or very thinly cobwebby
 
                  15. Plant 10–30 dm; most outer phyllaries spiny-ciliate, also minutely rough-ciliate; San Joaquin Valley
2 C. crassicaule
                  15' Plant generally 1–10 dm; most outer phyllaries entire or minutely rough-ciliate; s Central Coast
4 C. loncholepis
        6' Outer phyllary margins generally entire (bracts subtending head generally spiny)
 
          16. Middle and outer phyllaries generally spreading to reflexed
 
            17. Main phyllary spine tips generally 7–20+ mm
 
              18. Perennial; heads sessile or on short leafy peduncles, sometimes in ± congested cyme-like clusters
 
                19. Phyllaries densely, persistently cobwebby; Central Coast
3 C. occidentale var. compactum
                19' Phyllaries thinly cobwebby or becoming glabrous
 
                  20. Corollas bright pink to red; corolla tube < throat; s High Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains
2 C. arizonicum
                  20' Corollas rose-purple; corolla tube > 2 × throat; Desert Mountains
2 C. nidulum
              18' Biennial; heads generally long-peduncled, often in ± open cyme-like clusters
 
                21. Corolla tube abruptly expanded to throat; corollas generally white to pale purple (sometimes darker purple to reddish)
 
                  22. Cauline leaves with main spines generally 8–15 mm; eastern Mojave Desert
C. neomexicanum
                  22' Cauline leaves with main spines generally < 8 mm; Sierra Nevada, South Coast Ranges, Southwestern California
2 C. occidentale var. californicum
                21' Corolla tube gradually expanded to throat; corollas generally rich purple to bright pink or red (sometimes white to pale purple)
2 C. occidentale
                  23. Plants compact, rounded, mound-like, generally < 5 dm — Central Coast
var. compactum
                  23' Plants erect, often >> 5 dm
 
                    24. Head length generally ± = width; phyllaries generally very narrow, needle-like, radiating; corollas generally purple; mostly coastal, Central Western California, Southwestern California
var. occidentale
                    24' Heads generally longer than wide; phyllaries generally clearly flattened, widened toward base, spreading to reflexed; corollas generally red or bright pink, sometimes purple; generally interior mtns, n&c California vars. candidissimum, venustum (see 33., 33')
 
            17' Main phyllary spine tips generally 1–6 mm
 
              25. Corollas white to pale purple
 
                26. Biennial; heads generally in open cyme-like clusters; Sierra Nevada, c&s South Coast Ranges, Southwestern California
2 C. occidentale var. californicum
                26' Perennial; heads generally in ± congested flat-topped or raceme-like clusters; generally n California
 
                  27. Some phyllaries generally fringed or spiny-toothed
4 C. remotifolium
                  27' All phyllaries entire
 
                    28. Stems, leaves tomentose; jointed-multicellular hairs 0; Klamath Ranges
2 C. ciliolatum
                    28' Stems, leaves with hairs of 2 kinds, tomentose and jointed, multicellular hairs, especially along midveins (leaf lower surface); widespread
3 C. cymosum
              25' Corollas deep purple to bright pink or red
 
                29. Corolla tube abruptly expanded to throat; perennial herb
 
                  30. Corollas 30–45 mm, generally red to rose-purple; inner phyllaries long, straight, entire
3 C. andersonii
                  30' Corollas 16–25 mm, white to purple; inner phyllaries generally ± crinkled, sometimes with expanded, scarious appendages
4 C. remotifolium
                29' Corolla tube gradually expanded to throat; biennial
2 C. occidentale
                  31. Plants compact, rounded, mound-like, generally < 5 dm — Central Coast
var. compactum
                  31' Plants erect, often >> 5 dm
 
                    32. Head length generally ± = width; corollas generally purple; mostly coastal, Central Western California, Southwestern California
var. occidentale
                    32' Heads generally longer than wide; corollas generally red or bright pink; generally interior mtns, n&c California
 
                      33. Plant densely white-tomentose; phyllaries persistently white-tomentose (except spine tip); outer phyllaries generally very long, spreading to reflexed; Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Modoc Plateau, n Sierra Nevada
var. candidissimum
                      33' Plant gray-tomentose to ± green (rarely densely white-tomentose); phyllaries ± cobwebby to tomentose or becoming ± glabrous; outer phyllaries short to long, ascending to spreading or reflexed; North Coast Ranges, s Sierra Nevada, and White and Inyo Mountains southward
var. venustum
          16' Middle and generally outer phyllaries appressed or stiffly ascending (spine tip sometimes abruptly spreading)
 
            34. Leaves all basal or crowded on very short, densely leafy stem; heads ± sessile, subtended by rosette leaves
 
              35. Perennial from creeping rootstock; generally ± dry habitats — North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, n Outer South Coast Ranges
3 C. quercetorum
              35' Biennial or short-lived perennial herb that flowers once, taprooted; generally ± wet habitats
 
                36. Plants ± glabrous; main leaf spines generally 7–10 mm; s Central Coast
4 C. loncholepis
                36' Plants generally ± tomentose (especially lower surface of leaves); main leaf spines generally 2–7 mm; generally interior mtns
3 C. scariosum
            34' Leaves basal and cauline; heads sessile or peduncled, clearly raised above rosette leaves
 
              37. Phyllary spine tips 10–20+ mm
 
                38. Corolla rose-purple to red, lobes = or > tube
 
                  39. Corolla bright pink to red; corolla tube < throat; s High Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains
2 C. arizonicum
                  39' Corolla rose-purple; corolla tube > 2 × throat; Desert Mountains
2 C. nidulum
                38' Corolla dull white to pale purple, lobes < tube
 
                  40. Plant sparsely cobwebby-tomentose, becoming glabrous; heads closely subtended by well developed leaves — s Central Coast
4 C. loncholepis
                  40' Plant persistently tomentose; heads generally not closely subtended by leaves
 
                    41. Corollas 20–27 mm; biennial from taproot
3 C. canovirens
                    41' Corollas 29–37 mm; perennial herb from creeping rootstock
2 C. ochrocentrum
              37' Phyllary spine tips generally < 10 mm
 
                42. Corollas generally 25–50 mm
 
                  43. Corollas bright purple to red
 
                    44. Phyllaries in 3–4 series, outer linear-lanceolate, inner much longer, straight, red- or purple-tipped; corollas red or rose-purple
3 C. andersonii
                    44' Phyllaries strongly graduated in 5–10 series, outer lanceolate to ovate, inner often twisted or crinkled at tip; corollas purple
 
                      45. Biennial or short-lived perennial herb, taprooted — generally interior mtns
3 C. scariosum
                      45' Perennial from creeping rootstock
 
                        46. Phyllaries generally ovate, midribs not glandular; North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges
3 C. quercetorum
                        46' Phyllaries generally lanceolate, midribs with sticky-glandular zone; weed, s Cascade Range, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Modoc Plateau
2 C. undulatum
                  43' Corollas white to pink or lavender
 
                    47. Biennial or short-lived perennial herb, taprooted — generally ± wet soil of meadows
 
                      48. Plants ± glabrous; main leaf spines generally 7–10 mm; s Central Coast
4 C. loncholepis
                      48' Plants generally ± tomentose (especially lower surface of leaves); main leaf spines generally 2–7 mm; generally interior mtns
3 C. scariosum
                    47' Perennial from creeping rootstock
 
                      49. Phyllary spine tips generally 5–10 mm; leaves generally < 3 cm wide, deeply divided into many narrow, spiny lobes
2 C. ochrocentrum
                      49' Phyllary spine tips generally 1–5 mm; leaves often > 3 cm wide, variously divided, variously spiny
 
                        50. Phyllaries ± persistently tomentose
3 C. cymosum
                        50' Phyllaries generally becoming glabrous
 
                          51. Phyllaries generally ovate, midribs not glandular; North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges
3 C. quercetorum
                          51' Phyllaries generally lanceolate, midribs with sticky-glandular zone; weed, s Cascade Range, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Modoc Plateau
2 C. undulatum
                42' Corollas generally 16–24 mm
 
                  52. Phyllary midribs generally without a sticky-glandular area
 
                    53. Heads generally conspicuously peduncled
4 C. remotifolium
                    53' Heads generally ± sessile or short-peduncled
 
                      54. Phyllaries connected by tangled cobwebby hairs; involucres 2.5–3.5 cm; heads closely subtended by ± leafy bracts; North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast
2 C. brevistylum
                      54' Phyllaries ± tomentose or becoming glabrous; involucres 1.5–2.5 cm; heads often not closely subtended by leafy bracts; High Sierra Nevada (eastern slope), n Great Basin Floristic Province
3 C. canovirens
                  52' Some phyllary midribs with a ± sticky-glandular area or raised translucent gland
 
                    55. Phyllary bodies (at least outer) ascending or loosely appressed, spine tip generally erect or ascending; heads commonly medium to large, in cyme- or raceme-like clusters
 
                      56. Hairs all cobwebby, often dense and persistent on leaves
2 C. ciliolatum
                      56' Hairs of 2 kinds, cobwebby and jointed, multicellular, generally ± loose and irregularly deciduous from leaves in age
3 C. cymosum
                    55' Phyllary bodies tightly appressed, spine tip ascending to abruptly spreading; heads commonly small, ± ovoid, in panicle-like clusters
 
                      57. Leaves (both surfaces) thinly tomentose, becoming ± glabrous above
 
                        58. Hairs of 2 kinds, cobwebby and jointed, multicellular, generally ± loose and irregularly deciduous from leaves in age; High Sierra Nevada (e slope), n Great Basin Floristic Province
3 C. canovirens
                        58' Hairs all cobwebby, often dense and persistent on leaves; deltaic Great Central Valley, n San Francisco Bay Area
2 C. hydrophilum vars. (see 10., 10')
                      57' Leaves (both surfaces) densely tomentose, especially below
 
                        59. Phyllaries greenish or straw-colored; corollas white to pale purple; East of Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert
C. mohavense
                        59' Phyllaries generally blackish near tips; corollas generally dark purple (rarely white)
C. douglasii
                          60. Upper cauline leaves with larger spines mostly < 7 mm; Klamath Ranges, n North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, n Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau
var. breweri
                          60' Upper cauline leaves with larger spines generally 7–20 mm; North Coast, North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, n Central Coast
var. douglasii


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