Cirsium spinosissimum

Cirsium spinosissimum, common name spiniest thistle, is a European species of thistle which grows in dry rocky areas. It is found in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Balkans.

The plant is between 20 and 80 cm tall. Leaves, stems, and the sides of the flower head bear long, sharp spines, hence the name of the plant. Flower heads contain numerous disc florets but no ray florets, the florets off-white sometimes with a purple tinge.