Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3034412

Leavenworth's Eryngo

Eryngium leavenworthii

Also known as False Purple Thistle, Purple Eryngo

Leavenworth's eryngo paints dry prairie grasslands in vivid violet-purple during late summer and autumn, often creating sweeping metallic hues across rocky limestone pastures. Though widely mistaken for a spiny thistle, it is actually an annual member of the carrot family with pineapple-shaped flower heads topped by rigid, prickly rosettes. The entire upper stem and surrounding bracts shift from dull green to intense amethyst as the blossoms mature, serving as a critical nectar beacon for late-season pollinators.

Prairie PlantDrought TolerantAnnual
Leavenworth's Eryngo reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) USFWS Mountain-Prairie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Black Swallowtail Caterpillar
  • Grasshoppers
ThreatsHabitat loss through agricultural conversion, overgrazing, and roadside herbicide spraying
HabitatsDry rocky prairies, limestone glades, chalk soils, and open roadsides
Life span1 year (annual)
Classification
  1. FamilyApiaceae
  2. SpeciesEryngium leavenworthii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for pineapple-shaped flower heads crowned with spiny, brilliant purple bracts.
  • Timing: Visit sunny limestone prairies from August to October to see stands at peak coloration.
  • Handling: Wear sturdy garden gloves if managing dried stalks, as the bract spines remain sharp.
Related species
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