Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
gcc
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 821 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000084791
Common Names
- Carduus nutans
- Nodding Thistle
- Musk Thistle
Description
Carduus nutans (also called 'Musk Thistle', among many other common names) is a biennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Asia. It typically grows in disturbed habitats, and has large, lobed leaves and small pink flowers.
Uses & Benefits
Carduus nutans is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat digestive problems, liver diseases, and skin ailments.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Carduus nutans sub. leiophyllus (Petrovič) Stoj. & Stef.
Carduus nutans sub. macrocephalus (Desf.) Nyman
Carduus nutans sub. granatensis (Willk.) O.Bolòs & Vigo
Carduus nutans sub. platylepis (Rchb. & Sauter) Nyman
Carduus nutans sub. subacaulis Arènes
Carduus nutans sub. perspinosus (Fiori) Arènes
Carduus nutans sub. platypus (Lange) Greuter
Carduus nutans sub. nutans
Carduus nutans sub. alpicola (Gillot) Chass. & J.Arenes
Carduus nutans sub. numidicus (Coss. & Durieu) Arènes
Carduus nutans sub. micropterus (Borbás) Hayek
Carduus nutans sub. taygeteus (Boiss. & Heldr.) Hayek
Carduus nutans sub. siculus (Franco) Greuter
Carduus nutans sub. falcato-incurvus P.H.Davis
Carduus nutans sub. trojanus P.H.Davis
Carduus nutans var. litoralis P.D.Sell
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Carduus nutans has bright pink flowers with spiny bracts. The seeds are small, black and oval-shaped. The seedlings are thin and spindly with small, bright green leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Carduus nutans is a biennial herb that is native to Europe and can be propagated by seed. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought. Pruning should be done in early spring to promote new growth.
Where to Find Carduus nutans
Carduus nutans can be found in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Carduus nutans FAQ
What is the scientific name of Carduus nutans?
Carduus nutans
What is the common name of Carduus nutans?
Musk thistle
What is the family of Carduus nutans?
Asteraceae
Species in the Carduus genus
Carduus afromontanus,
Carduus solteszii,
Carduus tenuiflorus,
Carduus broteroi,
Carduus millefolius,
Carduus nawaschini,
Carduus volutarioides,
Carduus angusticeps,
Carduus cephalanthus,
Carduus myriacanthus,
Carduus weizensis,
Carduus getulus,
Carduus pumilus,
Carduus turocensis,
Carduus macracanthus,
Carduus affinis,
Carduus spachianus,
Carduus crispus,
Carduus transcaspicus,
Carduus fissurae,
Carduus martinezii,
Carduus rechingerianus,
Carduus acanthocephalus,
Carduus fasciculiflorus,
Carduus chrysacanthus,
Carduus kerneri,
Carduus cantabricus,
Carduus acicularis,
Carduus pycnocephalus,
Carduus budaianus,
Carduus argyroa,
Carduus schimperi,
Carduus meonanthus,
Carduus onopordioides,
Carduus lobulatus,
Carduus kumaunensis,
Carduus bourgaei,
Carduus aurosicus,
Carduus arvaticus,
Carduus modestii,
Carduus seminudus,
Carduus peisonis,
Carduus dahuricus,
Carduus ibicensis,
Carduus keniensis,
Carduus macrocephalus,
Carduus membranaceus,
Carduus leptocephalus,
Carduus leptocladus,
Carduus maroccanus,
Species in the Asteraceae family
Aaronsohnia pubescens,
Aaronsohnia factorovskyi,
Abrotanella filiformis,
Abrotanella rostrata,
Abrotanella linearis,
Abrotanella trilobata,
Abrotanella muscosa,
Abrotanella inconspicua,
Abrotanella trichoachaenia,
Abrotanella caespitosa,
Abrotanella nivigena,
Abrotanella pusilla,
Abrotanella linearifolia,
Abrotanella papuana,
Abrotanella rosulata,
Abrotanella emarginata,
Abrotanella fertilis,
Abrotanella spathulata,
Abrotanella purpurea,
Abrotanella patearoa,
Abrotanella submarginata,
Abrotanella diemii,
Abrotanella scapigera,
Abrotanella forsterioides,
Acamptopappus shockleyi,
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus,
Acanthocephalus benthamianus,
Acanthocephalus amplexifolius,
Acanthocladium dockeri,
Acanthodesmos distichus,
Acanthodesmos gibarensis,
Acanthospermum humile,
Acanthospermum consobrinum,
Acanthospermum glabratum,
Acanthospermum microcarpum,
Acanthospermum hispidum,
Acanthospermum australe,
Acanthospermum lecocarpoides,
Acanthostyles buniifolius,
Acanthostyles saucechicoensis,
Achillea buiana,
Achillea conrathii,
Achillea cucullata,
Achillea styriaca,
Achillea clavennae,
Achillea cappadocica,
Achillea huber-morathii,
Achillea ptarmicoides,
Achillea sieheana,
Achillea barrelieri,