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carline thistle
Scientific Name: Carlina vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Biennial
Other Names:
Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris & Carlina acaulis)
The Carline Thistle encompasses several species within the Carlina genus, known for their distinctive appearance and adaptability to various environments. Two notable species are Carlina vulgaris and Carlina acaulis.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is noted for being exceptionally spiny. Leaves, bracts, and stems are all spiny.
Considerations for Children
- This plant is noted for being exceptionally spiny. Leaves, bracts, and stems are all spiny.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Carlina vulgaris, Carlina acaulis
- Common Names: Carline Thistle, Stemless Carline Thistle, Dwarf Carline Thistle, Silver Thistle
- Family: Asteraceae (formerly Aster Family), subfamily Carduoideae (Daisy Family – Compositae)
- Taxonomic Rank: Genus (Carlina), Species (vulgaris, acaulis), Subspecies (Carlina vulgaris L. subsp. longifolia Nyman)
- The genus name Carlina honors the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1500-1558).
Distribution and Habitat
- The Carline Thistle is native to Europe.
- It is found on dry, chalk grassland.
- Carlina acaulis is native to alpine regions.
- It can grow on the seaward edge of Dune Ridges.
Morphological Characteristics
- Carlina vulgaris is a biennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
- It is a short, stiff, and exceptionally spiny plant.
- Flowerheads of Carlina vulgaris are brownish yellow and surrounded by straw-colored bracts. They are 15 to 40 mm, solitary or in small numbers. Rayless flowerheads, golden/purplish.
- The rootstock is finger-thick, brown on the outside, lighter and fissured on the inside.
- Leaves are alternate, not in a basal rosette, and cottony beneath.
- Achene fruit are 4-5 mm with puppets.
- Carlina acaulis is a stemless perennial with large flowers, white or purple-brown florets nestled in a rosette of long spiny leaves hairy beneath.
Quirky Facts
- Carline thistle's flower is sensitive to the level of moisture in the environment, acting as a natural hygrometer. It closes whenever the air becomes humid or when it rains. During dry sunny days, the petals spread out.
- At first the head consists only of a mass of dark brown or black spines intertwined with a net of white fibres resembling cotton wool.
Ecological Role
- In Maltese environments, The Clustered Carline Thistle is frequently found in abandoned fields and areas of garrigue and steppe.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Marbled Whites mating on a Yarrow flowerhead at Durlston Country Park, Dorset.
Additional Information
- Carlina vulgaris is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It flowers from July to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite.
- The acetone extracts of carline thistle root have strong antibacterial activity.