[2] The species is native to the eastern and southern United States from New England to Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma as well as to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Bahamas.

"[8][9] Cirsium horridulum is a biennial herb up to 250 centimetres (100 in) tall, with a large taproot and fleshy side roots that sometimes sprout new shoots.

Flower color varies from one plant to the next: white, yellow, pink, red or purple.

[12] The Cirsium genus is listed as a noxious weed in Arkansas and Iowa.

[13] The Houma people make an infusion of the leaves and root of the plant in whiskey.