[2] It is native to much of central and western North America from British Columbia east to Manitoba and south as far as the State of Durango in Mexico.

The leaves are very wavy along the edges and usually cut into shallow toothed lobes.

The inflorescence holds one or more flower heads each up to 5 centimetres (2.0 inches) long and wide.

The flowers in the head are white to lavender to pink and up to 5 centimetres (2.0 inches) long.

[4][5] Cirsium undulatum has been shown to have its seed production reduced by an exotic weevil Larinus planus which was released to control Canada thistle.