Hybridises with : Marsh Thistle to produce Heterophyllum × Palustre.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics: Amongst other thistles, Melancholy Thistle has straight, grooved stalks getting white towards the often solitary upright flower. The stems are otherwise without prickles. The leaves look similar to those of sow thistles in that there are no sharp spines and even the slightly toothed edges are not sharp enough to pierce skin, and are a cottony white beneath.

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