Stiff, wiry, 1-6 ft. tall and usually branched; wings (less than 0.2 in. wide) extend down stem
Blue- to gray-green, 1.5-6 in. long and densely covered with fine hairs
Rosette leaves are oval to strap-like (linear) with deeply lobed edges (margins); stem leaves are alternate, strap-like to oblong with smooth to wavy edges
Yellow, located singly at branch tips or axils; base of flower is vase-shaped, 0.5-0.75 in. diameter and covered with cotton-like hairs and stout, straw-colored spines 0.5-1 in. long
Deep taproot
Often infests rangeland, pastures, cultivated fields, waste areas and roadsides; known to occur in Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and Washoe counties
Annual; reproduces by seed
Causes "chewing disease" in horses by damaging the area of the brain that controls fine motor movements, particularly of the mouth, resulting in starvation or dehydration
Grazing, mowing, burning, pulling, digging and cultivation can be effective if done prior to seed production
Several biological control agents are available
Apply aminopyralid, 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba or picloram to actively growing plants before flowering