Cotyledons
Oval, fleshy, smooth edges

Roots
Rhizome

Stems
Erect, smooth
Usually branched

True Leaves
Alternate, oblong, to lanceolate
irregularly lobed, spiny toothed
Margins with triangular indents and spines
Upper leaves, stalkless clasping the stem
Lower leaves, sometimes stalked

Flowers
Purplish or pinkish disk flowers
surrounded by spineless bracts
Ray florets absent
Small, numerous clusters

Habitat
Cultivated fields, pastures, roadsides

Note
Spreading reproductive rootstalks
make control in cultivated fields difficult
Most common thistle