Musk Thistle

Description:

Musk thistles have large single purple flowers (actually, the big globe that looks like a single large flower is composed of hundreds of tiny individual flower heads) that "nod" at the end of long spiny stems, often with purple bracts. Leaves are deeply lobed, dark green, with light green mid-rib and spiny margins.

Habitat:

Musk thistle was introduced into the eastern North America in the early 19th century, and has been an invasive species there since. It is a declared a noxious weed in many U.S. states, Canadian provinces, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

Notes:

Spotted growing near the road on top of Kennesaw Mountain.