Carduus hamulosus, commonly known as Elbowed Thistle or Hooked Thistle, is a biennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and West Asia. It thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woodlands, and disturbed areas, often preferring calcareous clay soils. This plant typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) and a width of 1.5-2 feet (0.5-0.6 meters). The Elbowed Thistle is characterized by its spiny, winged stems and deeply lobed leaves. It produces purple flower heads that bloom in the summer and are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The flowers are surrounded by spiny bracts that give the plant its common name.

Elbowed Thistle is not commonly cultivated due to its spiny nature and potential invasiveness. However, it can be used in wildflower meadows or naturalistic plantings where its ability to attract pollinators is beneficial. It requires full sun exposure and can tolerate a range of soil types, including medium or fast-draining clay or loam soils, with medium water requirements. While not typically grown in gardens, it can be considered for ecological restoration projects. Gardeners should be cautious as Carduus hamulosus can be potentially invasive outside its native range and may outcompete native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0