Family: Asteraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2 2: 1151 (1763)
Year: 1763
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Carduus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to W. Pakistan and Arabian Pen., N. Africa
Description
Slender thistle, scientifically known as Carduus pycnocephalus, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Asteraceae family. First classified by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1763 under the denomination Sp. Pl. ed. 2 2: 1151, this resilient plant has adapted to various regions and climates.
The slender thistle is native to a wide range of geographical areas, including Macaronesia, Europe, Western Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa. Its ability to thrive in such diverse locations showcases its adaptability and robustness. Characterized by its thin, spiny stems and small, compact flower heads, the slender thistle is both a resilient and a visually striking plant.
This species typically prefers open, sunny environments where it can access ample sunlight. Often found in meadows, along roadsides, and in other disturbed areas, the slender thistle can grow up to several feet in height, displaying its delicate yet spiny foliage. The flowers, usually purple or mauve, bloom in clusters, attracting various pollinators and contributing to the plant’s reproductive success.
Despite its beauty, the slender thistle can also be considered a weed in some contexts, as it tends to spread rapidly and compete with native vegetation. However, its presence in the ecosystem can play a role in providing habitat and food sources for a variety of insects and animals.
A member of the Asteraceae family, the slender thistle shares familial traits with other thistles and daisies, including the characteristic arrangement of its flowers and the distinctive spiny texture of its stems and leaves. Understanding the slender thistle’s role in its native and introduced habitats offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between plant species and their environments.
Common Names
Eng: italian plumeless thistle, italian thistle, plymouth thistle, sheep thistle, shore thistle, slender thistle, slender winged thistle, slender-flower thistle, winged slender thistle, woolly thistle
Deu: knäuelköpfige distel, knaulköpfige distel
Dan: pil-tidsel
Por: cardo
Spa: cardo
Swe: gyttertistel
Ara: lisan el-kalb
Cym: ysgallen bengryno, ysgallen plymouth
En: Slender thistle, Slender winged thistle, Slender-flower thistle, Sheep thistle, Plymouth thistle, Shore thistle, Woolly thistle, Winged slender thistle, Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle
Ar: Lisan el-kalb, لسان الكلب (لِسان الكِلْب، لِسان الكَلْب) ، لبد ( لِبد), لسان غليظ الرأس
Ca: Card d’ase, Cardot gallofer
Da: Pil-tidsel
Fi: Balkaninkarhiainen
Fr: Chardon à capitules denses, Chardon à capitules serrés, Chardon à têtes denses, Chardon à épines vertes, Chardon à têtes en coupe, Chardon à trochets, Chardon à tête dense
De: Knaulköpfige Distel, Knäuelköpfige Distel, Dichtköpfige Distel
It: Cardo saettone
Ku: Kerbeşê Reş
Pt: Cardo
Es: Cardo, Cardo cabrero, Cardo de calvero
Sv: Gyttertistel
Cy: Ysgallen Plymouth, Ysgallen Bengryno
Synonyms
- Carduus tenuiflorus var. pycnocephalus ((L.) DC.)
- Carduus tenuiflorus subsp. pycnocephalus ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Egypt (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Chatham Is. (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Filip Vrtiak (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Filip Vrtiak (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2022 by manchego anil (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 13, 2021 by bsp25 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 26, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 22, 2019 by Étienne Fournery (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2022 by manchego anil (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by agostino morelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 23, 2020 by Fauno Silvestri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Jennifer Carre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Jennifer Carre (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sarah LAVAUX (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 20, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3114667)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:188996-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carduus pycnocephalus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 3
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]
Soil nutriments: 7