An erect biennial with spiny leaves and stems that may reach 6 feet in height. Primarily a weed of pastures, hayfields, roadsides, and noncrop areas that can be found throughout the United States.
Young leaves are essentially without hairs and immediately take on a rosette growth habit.
Erect, branched, with spines extending down the stem from the leaf bases. During the first year of growth a basal rosette of leaves form with the first 2 true leaves being opposite and all subsequent leaves alternate. During the second year of growth, the rosettes elongate and flowering stems are produced. All leaves that occur on the flowering stems are also alternate. All leaves are dark green in color with light green to white midribs and veins.