This thistle, an intermediate form between C. sieboldii and C. japonica, had been known in Shimane only in an obscure manner for approximately a decade until I had Dr. Kadota identify it. The stem grows to a height of 0.6-1.5m, extending obliquely upward and sometimes branches off at the upper portion. Its radical leaves still exist in flowering time, in the shape of an obovate to oblong, pinnately parted, with 7-9 segments that have sharp thorns. Flower heads appear in an umbellate inflorescence or in solitary inflorescences, and each of them nod. Bloom time: May-September.