In the meadow of wonders. This is about 6 feet tall and very prickly. A biennial that may only flower the second year. Unpalatable to grazing animals, but good nectar source for insects, and birds eat the seeds. You could peel, cook and eat the stems, or the tap roots of young plants, but my that would be a task. Native to Europe and Asia, considered a noxious weed in some states.

Bull Thistle, Spear Thistle (Cisium vulgare)