[2][3][4] This native thistle is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height approaching 100 cm (39 in).

The deeply lobed and sharply cut leaves are borne on spiny-winged petioles, the longest toward the base of the plant reaching over 30 centimetres (12 inches) long.

The inflorescence bears one or more flower heads, each up to 5 centimeters long by 4 wide at the largest.

The head contains many red, purplish, or rose pink flowers, each up to 4.5 centimeters long.

The fruit is an achene with a brown body 6 or 7 millimeters long topped with a pappus which may be 4 centimeters in length.