Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans L.)

Stem: Can reach 2.5 metres (8 feet) in height. There is a single taproot and no horizontal roots.

Leaves: The leaves are large, spiny, deeply lobed, pale blue-green to dark green, with white midrib and veins.

Flowers: Showy, reddish-purple flower heads. Flowers bloom from June to October. They can become so heavy that they flop over, giving them the name “Nodding thistle”.

General: Spreads rapidly by seed.