Golden thistle is primarily a threat to rangeland habitats. Livestock avoid consuming it, and heavy infestations can crowd out desirable forage plants. Introduced from the Mediterranean region as a medicinal herb and root vegetable. See Comparison of spiny-leaved thistles . Exist as basal rosettes through the first year.
Stems erect, robust, highly branched, especially near the top.
Foliage typically sparsely covered with hairs, especially midveins on the lower surfaces of leaves. Taproot stout , to 8 cm in diameter and 60 cm long. Taproots remain alive after above ground stems senesce in summer and produce new rosette leaves in fall. Receptacles covered with long, broad, chaff scales that enclose fruits . Flowering stems can remain erect for an extended period or break off at the base with strong winds.