thistly

[ this-lee, -uh-lee ]

/ ˈθɪs li, -ə li /

filled with or having many thistles.

suggesting a growth of thistles, especially in being difficult or painful to handle: a thistly set of problems.

Origin of thistly

First recorded in 1590–1600; thistle + -y¹

Perhaps it was the thistly food he ate which had an effect upon his temper and made him the awkward creature he had grown.

Dick o' the Fens |George Manville Fenn
In this valley there were the most beautiful flowers, mallows, chrysanthemums, and thistly plants.

A Woman's Journey Round the World |Ida Pfeiffer