Photo Credit: USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Retrieved from Bugwood.org (Image Number: 1149103), used under CC BY 3.0 US, modified
Common crupina is native to the Mediterranean and was first discovered on rangeland in Idaho in 1968.
This species quickly forms dense stands, out-competing native species. It can spread into forage crops or become a contaminant in grass seed and hay.
Common crupina has a pink to purple flower that is 5-13 mm wide. A key characteristic of this plant is that it has deeply lobed, grey leaves that have stiff spiny prickles along the edges. The stem has several branches and grows erect, up to 100 cm tall.
Learn more about this species:
See Fact Sheet - Alberta Invasive Species Council