Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Not documented
Nepal
Thrives in temperate grasslands and rocky slopes, at high elevation of 2700-3000 m.
It is herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 150 cm tall forms a clump with upright stems.
Stem is erect, stout, and grooved with short branches in the upper part. Covered in cobwebby hairs and sometimes spines.
Leaves are alternate, oblong to lanceolate in shape, with deeply lobed or pinnatifid margins. Leaves are up to 30 cm long and 5-10 cm wide, green on top and white with woolly hairs underneath. Margins and veins often have prickles.
Flowers are solitary, terminal (at the tip of the stem), and thistle-like, ranging from 3-8 cm in diameter. Florets are tubular and purple to pink, with spiny bracts underneath.
Fruit is achene (small, dry fruit with a single seed) with a pappus (hair-like structure) that aids wind dispersal.
Flowering: July - August.