Carduus L. >

Pappus of simple bristles Carduus
Flower heads in terminal clusters
Stems discontinuously spinous-winged, naked just below the terminal flower heads. Heads ovoid, 2–3 cm diam. Florets pink or white. Widespread. Weed of cultivation, pastures and waste places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. spring–summer. Shore or Slender Thistle Carduus pycnocephalus