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Scotch Thistle

Scientific Name: Onopordum acanthium

Distinguishing Features
• It grows up to eight feet tall.
• A rosette forms the first year and can have leaves 2 feet long and 1 foot wide.
• The leaves are large, hairy, with triangular lobes, and have a greyish-green, cottony look. The mid vein is prominent and is covered with fine dense hairs on both sides. The leaves are spiny-edged and form "wings" around the stalk.
• The flowers are numerous, spiny, rounded on the bottom but flat on top, and pale purple to violet in color. They stand alone on branch tips.

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