Carduus tenuiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is known variously as slender-flower thistle,[1]sheep thistle,[1]shore thistle,[1]slender thistle,[1]winged plumeless thistle,[2]winged slender thistle[1] and winged thistle.[1] It is native to western Europe and Northwest Africa, and is an introduced species elsewhere.
Carduus tenuiflorus may exceed 2 metres (6.6ft) in height. Its tall stem is ridged with wings and has long spines which may be several centimeters in length. The dull olive-green leaves are lobed and wrinkled and may fold and crease themselves.[citation needed]
The inflorescences may hold up to 20 flower heads which are somewhat rounded, covered in wide, spiny phyllaries, and packed with pale pink to bright purple long-tubed disc florets. This is a tenacious weed of roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas.
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