It spreads exclusively by seed, which may lie dormant for as long as 10 years. A rosette of deeply lobed leaves up to 8 inches long forms after seed germination in the fall. Stem leaves up to 4 inches long develop in early spring, their blades forming fringelike extensions down the side of the stem. Yellow flower heads develop at the tips of branched stems from late spring until fall.
Flower head bracts bear stiff, sharp thorns inch long.