Other names: Californian, creeping or field thistle
Life cycle: Perennial
Found in: Pastures.
General description: A persistent, spreading plant with grooved branching stems and pink or purple disk flowers. Can reach 2 feet to 6 feet in height.
Seedlings: Cotyledons are dull green, thick and club-shaped. Young leaves are hairy.
True leaves: Alternate, oblong and irregularly lobed with spiny edges. Top is dark green and hairless, while underside is light green and may have hairs.
Flowers and fruit: Flowers are small, disk-shaped and pink or purple. Fruit is dry, seed- or nutlike and brown.