Xylorhiza tortifolia

It is a perennial herb or subshrub with branching, hairy, glandular stems that reach 60–80 cm (24–31 in) in height/length. The leaves are linear, lance-shaped, or oval, with pointed or spiny tips and spiny edges, while the leaf surfaces are hairy and glandular. The inflorescence is a solitary flower head borne on a long peduncle. The head has a base with long, narrow phyllaries which may be over 2 centimeters long. The head contains up to 60 or more lavender, pale blue, or white ray florets which may be over 3 centimeters long. The bloom period is March through June. The fruit is an achene which may be over a centimeter long, including its pappus of bristles. imberbis is the Nevada variety.