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Italian plumeless thistle

Scientific Name: Carduus pycnocephalus

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Italian Plumeless Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus)

Carduus pycnocephalus, commonly known as Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle, or Plymouth thistle, is a species of thistle belonging to the Asteraceae family.

Considerations for Pets

  • Thistles, in general, often have spines or prickly parts.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Carduus pycnocephalus L.
  • Common Names: Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle, Plymouth thistle, slender thistle, shore thistle, compact-headed thistle, sheep thistle.
  • Family: Asteraceae (Composite family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: The text mentions other thistles, such as Slenderflower thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus Curt.), and plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides L.), however does not directly mention that these are synonyms.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to: The text does not specify its native region.
  • Found in most western states.
  • Invades dry coastal vegetation, mallee shrubland, and lowland grassland.
  • Specific locations mentioned: Weitchpec, isolated sites along the highway between Happy Camp and Somes Bar (Mid Klamath region), Marin County, California, Tasmania, Australia.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a non-native and noxious species in some areas.
  • Listed as invasive in California (CA), Hawaii (HI), Oregon (OR), and Washington (WA).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Annual or biennial herb.
  • Varies in height.
  • Distinguished by relatively small and few terminal flowerheads and narrow phyllaries.
  • Forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Attacked by the Thistle Rosette Weevil (Trichosirocalus horridus).
  • Also interacted with by musk thistle flower fly, Cheilosia corydon and Canada thistle stem mining weevil, Ceutorhynchus litura

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Symbol: CAPY2
  • CalFlora Database: http://www.calflora.org/
  • Oregon Department of Agriculture (Eric Coombs)
  • California Academy of Sciences (Charles Webber)