Musk thistle is a member of the Aster family, Thistle tribe. It is an introduced biennial, winter annual, or rarely annual which reproduces by seed. The first year's growth is a large, compact rosette from a large, fleshy, corky taproot. The waxy leaves are dark green with a light green midrib and mostly white margins. Blooms appear in late May and June and set seed in June or JuIy.
Seeds are straw-colored and oblong.
Musk thistle is commonly found in pastures, roadsides, and waste places. It prefers moist, bottom land soil, but can be found on drier uplands, also. It is becoming an increasing problem throughout Colorado, particularly along the Front Range. Any unauthorized duplication is strictly prohibited by existing copyright laws.