These types of plants can reach 80 cm in height (average size 30 - 50 cm). The biological form of the species is scapose hemicryptophyte (H scap); they are perennial plants by means of buds placed on the ground formed by a long flower axis and often devoid of leaves.
Alpine thistle not only tolerates lime-rich soils, it prefers to thrive in them. The soil should be moderately nutrient-rich, deep and very permeable – a secure drainage of water is pretty much the only thing that the undemanding perennial cannot do without.
