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Onopordum acanthium
Scotch thistle can grow up to 12 feet tall. Stems are numerous, branched, and have broad, spiny wings. The leaves of species acanthium are large, grayish-green, spiny, and covered with fine dense hair giving the leaf a woolly appearance. The leaves of the species tauricum are similar in size, but are not hairy, smooth and bright green. On both species, the leaves have a distinct mid-rib. The flowers are violet to reddish in color, numerous (70-100/plant), and are surrounded by spine-tipped bracts. The plants flower from mid-June to September.
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