Onopordum L.

4 species naturalized Aust.; all states and territories except Qld, NT

*Onopordum acanthium L.acanthium

Biennial herb up to 1 m high, with woolly stems. Leaves mostly cauline, lanceolate, up to 35 cm long; margins with spine-tipped teeth, decurrent on the stem. Heads solitary or 2–3 together. Involucre 35 mm diam.; bracts subulate, up to 25 mm long with a yellowish terminal spine. Florets purple. Cypselas 4–5 mm long. Pappus bristles barbellate up to 10 mm long. Widespread. Weed of cultivation, pastures and waste places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. spring–summer. Scotch Thistle