1. Eurasian perennial naturalized in eastern North America having very spiny white cottony foliage and nodding musky crimson flower heads; valuable source of nectar
   "Bees swarmed around the fragrant musk thistle blooms";
   - nodding thistle, Carduus nutans

Derived forms: musk thistles

Type of: thistle

Part of: Carduus, genus Carduus

Encyclopedia: Musk thistle