Cirsium erisithales, the yellow thistle or yellow melancholy thistle, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the thistle tribe within the sunflower family. Cirsium erisithales can reach a height of 50–150 millimetres (2.0–5.9 in). The stems are erect, almost hairless. This plant has just a few leaves, with tooth-shaped lobes. Flower heads are lemon yellow, solitary or in groups.