Musk thistle (Carduus nutans, Sp. Pl.: 821 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 821 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Carduus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Xinjiang

Description

Musk thistle, bearing the scientific name Carduus nutans, is a distinguished and somewhat notorious member of the Asteraceae family. First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this species has made a notable presence across various regions, ranging from the expansive landscapes of Europe to the far-reaching territories of Siberia and even as far as Xinjiang.

This biennial herbaceous plant is celebrated for its striking appearance, characterized by large, spherical flower heads that typically display a vibrant purple hue. These flowers are not just captivating to the human eye, but also play a crucial role in the local ecosystems, attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, who are drawn to their rich nectar supply.

The growth habit of the musk thistle is both a marvel and a concern. In its first year, the plant forms a rosette of spiny leaves, which store resources for the subsequent flowering phase in its second year. During this flowering stage, musk thistle can reach impressive heights, often standing as tall as 1.5 meters, topped with its iconic flower heads that can measure up to 5 centimeters in diameter.

However, despite its beauty, Carduus nutans is sometimes considered problematic. It has a propensity to spread aggressively, particularly in disturbed soils and pasturelands, where it can outcompete native vegetation and become a formidable invasive species. This characteristic can lead to challenges in land management and agriculture, as the dense thistle patches can reduce the availability of forage for grazing animals and complicate crop cultivation.

Control measures often include mechanical removal before the seed set to prevent further propagation, alongside the utilization of herbicides and biological controls in more severe infestations. Understanding the life cycle and environmental preferences of the musk thistle is essential for effective management and mitigation of its spread.

Overall, musk thistle is a plant of dual nature—a symbol of rugged, untamed beauty in its native and naturalized ranges, yet a challenge for ecosystems and human endeavors in areas where it becomes invasive. Appreciating its role in biodiversity while managing its impact on agriculture and native flora illustrates the delicate balance required in interacting with this resilient species.

Common Names

Eng: chardon penche, musk thistle, nodding plumeless thistle, nodding plumeless-thistle, nodding thistle, plumeless thistle, bastard scotch thistle
Deu: nickende distel
Dan: nikkende tidsel
Fra: chardon penché
Nld: knikkende distel
Swe: nicktistel
Nno: nikketistel
Nob: nikketistel
Cym: ysgall pendrwm, ysgall pengrwn, ysgallen bendrom, ysgallen ogwydd, ysgallen pendrymus
En: Musk thistle, Nodding thistle, Nodding plumeless thistle, Nodding Plumeless-Thistle, Chardon penche, Plumeless thistle, Bastard Scotch thistle
Ar: لسان منحني
Az: Əyilən şeytanqanqalı
Be: Чартапалох паніклы
Bg: Наведен магарешки бодил
Ca: Card nutant
Zh: 垂花飞廉
Kw: Askall musk
Cs: Bodlák nicí
Da: Nikkende tidsel
Nl: Knikkende distel
Et: Longus karuohakas
Fi: Nuokkukarhiainen
Fr: Chardon penché
De: Nickende Distel
Ga: Feochadán crom
It: Cardo rosso
Kk: Еңкіш түйетікен
Lt: Lenktagalvis dagys
Nv: Azeeʼ hókánii hoshí
Nb: Nikketistel
Nn: Nikketistel
Fa: تاتاری سرخمیده
Pl: Oset zwisły
Pt-br: Cardo-pendente
Ro: Ciulin
Ru: Чертополох поникающий
Sk: Bodliak ovisnutý
Es: Cardilla, Kimasti bodak, Cardo
Sv: Nicktistel
Zh-tw: 垂花飛廉
Zh-hant: 垂花飛廉
Cy: Ysgallen Bendrom, Ysgall Pendrwm, Ysgall Pengrwn, Ysgallen Ogwydd, Ysgallen Pendrymus

Synonyms

• Ascalea nutans ((L.) Hill)
• Carduus nutans f. leucanthus ((Willk.) Arènes)
• Carduus chrysacanthus var. leucanthus (Willk.)
• Carduus nutans var. camerosianum (Pau)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 7, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Malinverno Mario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2017 by Linda Lawliss (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 28, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Diego Robustiano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by Júlia Zsarnóczai (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Gaël GOUJON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by miray boga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Rafał Has (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by Varrey Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2015 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2019 by nicolas pecqueux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2020 by Karine Thomassin (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Pierre0560 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bruno STIEN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2021 by Radoslav Marinkovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8185959)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:188890-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Carduus nutans L.)

Specifications

Growth