[Cal-IPC] Invasive: Onopordum acanthium (Scotch thistle) is a biennial or short-lived perennial (family Asteraceae) which is primarily found in the northeastern regions of California. Severe infestations can form tall, dense, impenetrable stands, especially in fertile soils. Onopordum acanthium reproduces only by seeds, which can germinate year round, and it is drought resistant. Infestations can reduce forage and impede movement for livestock and wildlife. Cal-IPC Rating: High (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Europe & Western Asia native: Onopordum acanthium (cotton thistle, Scotch (or Scottish) thistle) is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Europe and Western Asia from the Iberian Peninsula east to Kazakhstan, and north to central Scandinavia, and widely naturalised elsewhere,[1][2][3] with especially large populations present in the United States and Australia. It is a vigorous biennial plant with coarse, spiny leaves and conspicuous spiny-winged stems (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)