SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 6782.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "6782" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

spiny plumeless thistle

Scientific Name: Carduus acanthoides

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Biennial

Other Names:

       

Spiny Plumeless Thistle (Carduus acanthoides)

The spiny plumeless thistle, scientifically known as Carduus acanthoides, is a biennial plant species belonging to the thistle family. It is also commonly referred to as welted thistle and plumeless thistle.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is very spiny and may cause discomfort if brushed against.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is very spiny.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carduus acanthoides
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Other Common Names: Welted thistle, plumeless thistle, bristly thistle
  • USDA Symbol: CAAC

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Europe and temperate Asia.
  • Found in pastures and other open areas.
  • Reported as invasive in several states in the US, including IA, MN, NJ, OR, SD, VA, WA, WI, and WY.
  • Found in Bariloche, Argentina.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a noxious weed and is prohibited in many states.
  • Can form weedy monotypic stands.
  • Spreads readily.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Biennial herb, growing 3-10 dm (approximately 1-3 feet) tall, but can exceed two meters (6.5 feet) in height.
  • Has a stout, fleshy taproot.
  • Stems are freely branching with spiny wings extending to the flower heads.
  • Stalk rounded, furrowed, winged up to the top from decurrent leaves simple or.
  • Foliage is spiny and sometimes woolly.
  • Leaves are deeply lobed and spiny.
  • Flower heads are purple, approximately 1 inch in diameter, with spreading spiny bracts.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Observed to be a nectar source for Six-spot burnets (Zygaena filipendulae).
  • Heath Fritillary Butterflies (Melitaea Athalia) are seen perched on the thistle.

Distinguishing Features

  • Distinguished from musk thistle by the leaf-like spines on the stem and hairs on the leaves.
  • Spiny-winged leaves just beneath the head are characteristic.

Further Information

  • Information and photos available from Minnesota flora resources.
  • Species Fact Sheet available from southwestlearning.org.
  • Distribution information available from Discover Life.