Cirsium japonicum

Cirsium japonicum, commonly known as Japanese thistle, plumed thistle, or sea thistle, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is a perennial thistle native to eastern Asia, ranging from Japan to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Varieties
Five varieties are accepted.
 * Cirsium japonicum f. arakii (Kitam.) Kitam. – Japan
 * Cirsium japonicum var. diabolicum (Kitam.) Kadota – Japan (Honshu)
 * Cirsium japonicum var. japonicum – China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam
 * Cirsium japonicum var. maritimum Konta & Katsuy. – Japan (Honshu)
 * Cirsium japonicum var. vestitum Kitam. – Japan (Honshu and Shikoku)