Found throughout the United States, primarily a weed of pastures. Leaves are oblong with small spines along the margins. Second true leaf and subsequent young leaves contain many hairs on the upper surface. Clustered or solitary at the ends of branches. Arranged alternately on the flowering stem, lanceolate with deeply cut margins and stiff spines on the lobes.
Leaves are coarsely hairy on the upper side and contain softer whitish hairs below.
Leaf bases continue down the flowering stem.