Latin Name – Carduus sp.
Family – Compositae
Life Cycle– Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Type – Broadleaf Weed
Description
Thistles are most easily recognizable by their sharp spines on the tips of alternately arranged, deeply dissected leaves that sometimes have whitish hairs. Thistles have a fleshy tap-root and a solitary flowering head that can vary in color. Thistles are very painful if touched or stepped on by people or pets.