Stems 0.3-2 m
tall, spiny-winged by decurrent leaf bases; lower leaves webby-hairy, upper
sides harshly setose-spinulose; cauline leaves up to 30 cm long, 10 cm, wide,
deeply pinnately lobed these parted or divided into lanceolate divisions, the
lobes and divisions produced into stiff yellowish spines, some bases broadly
clasping; heads 3-5 cm long, terminating short branches, subtended by
much-reduced leaves; involucres 2-4 cm long; bracts in many series, the outer
and inner spinose-tipped, inner flattened and twisted, spinulose-tipped, mid-rib
and margins roughened; corollas rose-purple, rarely white, 2.5-3.5 cm long;
pappus 2-3 cm long; common in waste places.