Texas Wildbuds

Cirsium undulatum

(Wavyleaf Thistle)

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Cirsium undulatum, Along TX Hwy 36 northwest of Comanche, Comanche Co. 6304

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Cirsium undulatum, Along TX Hwy 36 northwest of Comanche, Comanche Co. 6328

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Cirsium undulatum, Along TX Hwy 36 northwest of Comanche, Comanche Co. 6313

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Cirsium undulatum, Along TX Hwy 36 northwest of Comanche, Comanche Co. 6319

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Cirsium undulatum, Along TX Hwy 36 northwest of Comanche, Comanche Co. 6321

Scientific Name Cirsium undulatum USDA PLANTS Symbol CIUN
Common Name Wavyleaf Thistle, Gray Thistle ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 36423
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower) SEINet
Reference		 Click Here
Description Habitat: Dry soils in open areas in fields, prairies, disturbed and overgrazed areas and roadsides.
Plant: Leafy perennial; usually solitary, erect or ascending, spineless, densely woolly-hairy stems; 1 to 4 feet tall.
Leaves: Alternate, elliptic to oblong or ovate, 4 to 12 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide, largest leaves at base becoming smaller upward; margins are strongly undulate, and pinnately-lobed, lobes with yellowish spines at tips; surfaces are densely woolly-hairy (tomentose).
Inflorescence: Terminal, solitary, flower heads 1 to 1-1/2 inches across with many lavender, purplish to white disk florets, no rays; urn-shaped involucre, phyllaries with spine tips and conspicuous light-colored ridge on the back.
Bloom Period: May and June.
References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Flora of North America and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses. 		BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key		 Texas Status:
Native
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Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2026

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