Biennials or perennials. Stem wings not continuous, margins spinose, little, if at all, white or thickened. Leaf blades 40-200 × 15-70 mm, margins little, if at all white or thickened. Involucres 15-20 × 8-10 mm, larger in fruit. Phyllaries lanceolate, glabrous. Cypsela/palea units ± orbiculate to ovate, 3-5 mm; pappi of 2-4 setiform-aristate scales plus 0-4 muticous to lanceolate scales. 2n = 20.

Flowering Jul. Disturbed sites; 0-100 m; introduced; Ala., Calif., N.Y., Pa.; Europe.

In the Mediterranean region, Scolymus hispanicus is used (or has been used) as a medicinal herb and root vegetable. It is considered to be a noxious weed in the United States.