Biennial herb to 1 m tall, taprooted, hairy. Stems erect, winged, little-branched. Leaves mostly along stems, lanceolate in outline, to 35 cm long, to 10 cm wide, margins toothed, spiny, sessile. Capitula solitary or in clusters, to 5 cm across, on short stalks; spring and summer. Florets purple. Achenes 4-5 mm long, 4-ribbed, glabrous. Pappus bristles barbed, buff-coloured.

Europe, Asia, N Africa

Source: Lawson, L.; Spencer, R. (2002). Dahlia. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.