Cirsium spicatum is a perennial herb inhabiting dry grasslands in hilly districts; stems are 1.5-2m in height, with short branches. On-stem leaves are 25-30cm long, oblong-shaped, and cleft in pinnate to halfway, the ends tapering to long points. Prickles are thick, each 3-10mm in size. Many flower heads appear on spikes and bloom upwards or diagonally upwards. Involucres are 1.5-1.7cm in width, and involucral bracts recurve. Bloom time: August-October.