This paper deals with the occurrence of Carduus crispus in Twente, the eastern part of the province of Overijssel. Whilst in the greater part of the Netherlands this thistle has been recorded for a long time, in Twente it is a rather recent arrival. Up to some fifteen years ago it was chiefly recorded incidentally in scattered localities; only in the town of Hengelo it was found as early as 1895 and is still present there. Recently, C. crispus has established itself over a long stretch along the small river Dinkel (fig. 1); besides there are some stable stations along railways. Its occurrence is restricted to substrata considerably influenced by men.