cobwebby thistle

Cirsium occidentale var. occidentale

heads generally long-peduncled, occasionally in tight clusters at peduncle ends, well elevated above proximal leaves
phyllaries are significantly interconnected by cobwebby hairs
phyllaries ascending to spreading (not reflexed) (the angle of the phyllary’s curve, not the angle that it sticks out of the head)
corolla lavender to bright purple (or rarely white, but generally on the more purple side of red-purple)
common, mostly from the north peninsula to Marin

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora