| Plant: Perennial herb with a broad rosette of large leaves at the base of the plant. Thick stems and undersides of leaves covered with white wool. 1-1/2 to 3 feet tall. Dies back to dry stalk at summers end, re-sprouts from roots the next year. Invasive. Food artichoke is Cynara scolymus. |   |
| Flowers: Flower heads are solitary on stout stems, 2-3/4 to 4 inches long. Purple flowers. |  |
| Leaf: Gray green above and white woolly below. Deeply cleft into narrow segments, 1 to 2 feet long at the base, somewhat shorter above. Very spiny. |   |
| Flowering period: | May to July |
| Can be found here: | Big Canyon, West Bluffs, Bayview Nature Trail, Back Bay Drive, Newport Valley |
| Native Plant: No | Halophyte: No |
| Family Name: Sunflower |
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Date: 8/29/2010
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