Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Family
Medicine - Tradionally used for the treatment of gastric troubles
Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan
Thrives in temperate grasslands and meadows, at an elevation of 1200-3300 m.
It is extremely variable herbaceous perennial growing 120-300 cm tall with spreading branches. Forms a bushy clump.
Stem is hairy and leafy.
Leaves are stalkless, pinnately lobed with very long, stout spines along the margins. Hairless on the upper surface and cottony underneath. Up to 30 cm long.
Flowers are white to purplish-white flower heads, 2-3.8 cm in diameter, borne singly or in clusters on leafless stalks or directly on the stem. Florets are tubular, about 1.6 cm long. Bracts are lance-shaped and tipped with erect or recurved spines.
Fruit is achene (small, dry fruit with a single seed) with a pappus (hair-like structure) that aids wind dispersal.
Flowering: May-August.