Crisium horridulum is an annual or biennial wildflower reaching 2 feet wide and 1-4 ft tall. The flowers are generally purple but can sometimes be white, pink, or yellow. The spiny basal rosette remains year-round. Flowers in spring and fall, sometimes year-round. Very attractive to pollinators and birds. Plant in part shade to full sun and moist to dry soil. Larval Host for Painted lady and Little metalmark butterflies.