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Habitally similar to C. nigra; invol 12–18 mm high, from a little narrower to a little broader than high; appendages of the invol bracts well developed, broad, tan to dark brown, the middle and outer ones rather irregularly lacerate, the inner ones less so and often deeply bifid; marginal fls almost always enlarged; pappus none; 2n=22, 44. Fields, roadsides, and waste places; native of Europe, now widely established in s. Can. and n. U.S., s. to W.Va. June–Sept.
A plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. The stems are erect and have grooves. The leaves at the base are oval and have lobes. They taper to the leaf stalk. There are teeth around the edge. They leaves are arranged in a ring. The stem leaves are sword shaped, hairy and do not have a leaf stalk. The flowers are reddish-purple. They are 20 cm across. They occur singly at the top of the plant.
