A robust annual or biennial herb distributed widely, growing in Europe, North Africa, Asia, South America and Australia, and flourishing in the coastal foothills and valleys of California and southern Oregon. One to four feet in height in Europe, three to ten feet in height in California (depending on growing conditions); with large, smooth, dark, green leaves variegated with silver/white (almost metallic) streaking along the veins; flowerheads purple to magenta, solitary with bracts ending in sharp spines; seeds pale brown to dark gray, about 7 mm long.