creeping thistle

Creeping thistle is a perennial reaching 1m in height. Pinky-lilac flowers, 10-15mmare borne in clusters between June and September. These become the classic thistledown for wind dispersal. Stems are generally spineless and unwinged, although leaves are pinnately lobed and spiny. The thistle colonises by underground rhizomes. This is a noxious and harmful weed and the RHS would suggest not growing it