Up to 2 ft. tall, highly branched and rough-textured; multiple stems can arise from woody crown; NO wings on upper stems
Exist as a basal rosette prior to bolting; alternate; lower leaves pinnate-divided and 4-8 in. long; sometimes covered with short grayish hairs; upper leaves strap-like (linear) with smooth edges (margins)
Pink to purple, each located at the tip of a branch; base of flower is narrow vase-shaped, 0.3 in. long, 0.12 in. wide and covered with comb-like bracts, tipped with a spine (less than 0.12 in. long) that curves outward
Deep, stout taproot
Often infests rangelands, waste areas and roadsides; known to occur in Elko and White Pine counties
Perennial; reproduces by seed
Mowing plants in bud to flower stage can reduce seed production; repeated hand removal can be effective; DO NOT burn
Several insect biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D or dicamba in the rosette stage; clopyralid, picloram or aminopyralid between rosette and mid-bolt stages