Size: Grows up to 8 feet tall.
Flower: Numerous, spiny, rounded on the bottom but flat on top, and pale purple to violet in color. They stand alone on branch tips.
Leaves: A rosette forms the first growing season and can have leaves 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. During the second season, leaves are large, hairy, with triangular lobes, and have a greyish-green, cottony look. Mid vein is prominent and is covered with fine dense hairs on both sides. Leaves are spiny-edged and form "wings" around the stalk.