Asteraceae

Carduus nutans subsp. nutans

Common Names: Nodding thistle

Plant Form: Erect biennial herb. Size: Up to 70 cm tall. Stem: With spiny wings along edges. Leaves: Spiny. In rosette at base, up to 25 cm long, deeply dissected, upper leaves smaller, with stem-clasping bases. Flowers: Purple flowerheads 2-5 cm across, often drooping, surrounded by purplish bracts, outer bracts ending in spine, inner bracts not spiny. Fruit and Seeds: Grey to yellowish brown 4-5 mm long, with parachuting hairs to 2 cm long. Habitat: Pastures, grasslands, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Differs from other species of Carduus in its leaves being green on both sides and having much larger flowerheads.