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nodding plumeless thistle
Scientific Name: Carduus nutans
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Other Names:
Carduus nutans: The Nodding Thistle
Carduus nutans, commonly known as musk thistle, nodding thistle, or nodding plumeless thistle, is a biennial herb that belongs to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- This thistle has purple flowers with very prickly, gray-green leaves and stems.
- The plant is unpalatable to livestock.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carduus nutans L.
- Family: Asteraceae (or Compositae)
- Synonyms: Ascalea nutans (L.) Hill
- Subspecies: Carduus nutans Linnaeus subsp. macrolepis (Petermann) Kazmi
- Alternative Scientific Names Mentioned: Carduus thoermeri Weinmann (in the Carduus nutans L. group), Carduus acanthoides L.
- Synonym Names: Carduus macrolepis L. Carduus macrocephalus L.
- Common Names: Musk thistle, nodding plumeless thistle, nodding thistle, bristle thistle.
Distribution and Habitat
- Carduus nutans is not native to the United States but has spread across North America.
- Nodding thistle is most common in southeast Wisconsin and northeast North America.
- It is often found in pastures and grassy fields.
- Originates from Eurasia, first detected in North America in 1800.
Ecological Role
- Nodding plumeless-thistle is considered among the most serious weeds in North America.
- It is an aggressive herb that can form dense stands, particularly in pastures.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is a biennial herb. However, is also regarded as a variable annual herb
- Showy red-purple flowers are typical.
- Plants can grow to be 3-5 feet tall.
- Flowers tend to droop or nod at maturity.
- Leaves are deeply lobed and spiny. Rosettes have deeply serrate leaves.
- Flowers are about 3 times the size of plumeless.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Mentioned interactions with the nodding thistle gall fly (Urophora solstitialis), where larvae feed on the spiny plumeless thistle.
- Also mentioned interactions with a crab spider.
Resources and Further Information
- Information provided by Gary N. Ervin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mississippi State University.
- Miller, James H. and Steve T. Manning (working title).
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- Dave's Garden for tips and ideas on gardens, seeds and plants.