A long lived tap rooted, clump forming perennial from South Africa with tight rosettes of wavy, downy and very spiny thistle like leaves up to 40cm long. The light to dark mauve large daisy like flowers are produced in summer on tall 1 meter high stems. Should prove reliably hardy in the UK as it does experience short periods of snow on its native African mountain slopes. Plant in full sun with a moist but well drained soil. You will receive a young plant in a 9cm pot.