Rose Thistle Carduus Undulatus
The Rose Thistle is so named on account of the bright rose-purple flower-heads, which bloom in summer and autumn. The plants are 2-5 ft. tall and grow on plains, prairies and foothills at 5000-7000 ft. The gray-green foliage is very spiny, but when bruised to destroy the spines forms good food for cattle. Donkeys eat the plants, spines and all, and seem to relish them. The Thistle is the badge of Scotland.