Nodding Thistle
(aka Musk Thistle; Bristle Thistle)

Carduus nutans

This member of the Composite family stands  2 to 4 feet tall and sports large, singular, nodding purple flower heads at the tip of a long stalk.  Each flower head ranges from 1- 1/2 to 2- 1/2 inches (3.8 to 6.4 cm) across and is surrounded by strongly reflexed, sepal-like, purple tinged bracts. The leaves range up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, and are lanceolate, deeply lobed and very spiny. The bases of the leaves extend on the stem to form sharp, pointy wings. This biennial is a European import and is common in wasteland and some farmland. Flowers bloom in June through September.

 

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