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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Thistle-like

              

Apiaceae - Parsley family
Eryngo Eryngium leavenworthii
This is not a thistle; it is not in the family Compositae (Asteraceae).
The plant starts out green then turns entirely purple! Flowers are tiny, clustered on the fuzzy head. Multiple heads form at end of stem with the oldest about 1" long. Spiny bracts crown both ends of head. Leaves are spiny. Plants grow 5-6 feet tall.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, August-September 2005
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Another Species in my Area

Spreading Eryngo Eryngium diffusum
Small tree to 18 feet tall, bare trunk, thick crown. Green.
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Coleman, Brown, Coke)

        

Asteraceae (Compositae) - Sunflower family
Basket Flower (American Star-thistle) Centaurea americana
This is not a thistle. Flower about 4" wide. Plant about 3 feet tall.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004
(Native of Texas)