This Thistle is widely scattered in these areas but is not very abundant. It is a stout plant, 2 to 3 feet tall, with large, prickly leaves. Its freshly budding flowers in deep pink are very attractive during the early summer. Hummingbirds and numerous insects gather food from its colorful flower head made up of many individual flowers. Some Thistles are very obnoxious and detrimental to agriculture.
Elk Thistle
25. CONEFLOWERSunflower Family
Rudbeckia occidentalis
At Cedar Breaks and in the high elevations of Zion and Bryce Canyon you can find this rank-growing plant in fair abundance. Its thimblelike, dark-brown flower head has numerous, inconspicuously small, yellow flowers that come out progressively up the cone from its base. The dark-brown cones, towering above the foliage of the plant, make a spectacular display against the deep-blue sky. The ripened seeds are very much sought after by rodents and numerous birds.
Coneflower
26. DESERT PRINCESPLUMEMustard Family
Stanleya pinnata
During the months of May and June this very conspicuous plant in Zion Canyon and throughout the Sonoran Zones may be found sending up its tall spikes of lemon-yellow flowers. On the same stalk can be found the ripened and opened seed pods (siliques), fresh-blooming flowers and unopened buds all at the same time. It has tall, stout stems, rather woody at the base, and differs from many plants in that it is tolerant of soils containing gypsum.
