Cirsium argyracanthum DC., Prodr. 6: 640. 1838. Cnicus argyracanthus (DC.) C.B. Clarke, Comp. Ind. 218. 1876; C. wallichii DC. var. wightii Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 364. 1881.

Herbs, robust, 90 - 180 cm tall, branched. Radical leaves irregularly pinnately lobed, 25 - 60 x 2.5 - 3.7 cm, nearly glabrous on both surfaces, densely spiny at margins, stalked; cauline leaves shorter, sessile. Heads globose, many, usually crowded in terminal clusters 1.8 - 2.5 cm across, sessile or stalked. Outer involucral bracts ending in long, rigid spines; innermost linear, long pointed. Flowers pale yellow or white. Achenes ca 3 mm long. Pappus nearly white, 1.2 cm long, nearly white.

Fl. & Fr. July - Sept.

Distrib. India: Temperate Himalayas, 2000-3000 m. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.

Notes. A very variable species.