Carduus crispus

Carduus crispus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Cynareae
Genus: Carduus
Species: C. crispus
Binomial name
Carduus crispus
L.

Carduus crispus, the curly plumeless thistle[1] or welted thistle,[2] is a biennial herb in the Asteraceae—daisy family. It is native to Europe and Asia.[3]

The plant is found from Southwestern Europe, through Scandinavia and Siberia, to Eastern Asia. It is also found in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Uses

Plant with seed heads.
Foliage and flowers.
Pollination by Bombus lapidarius

Wildlife

The species and genus is a favorite foodplant of caterpillars of the Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), which derives its specific epithet, cardui, from their preference for Carduus thistles. It is also used by bees for honey production.

Medicinal

Extracts from this plant have been found to have anti-cancer properties, the main one of which being crispine B.

It is said to hold restorative and anodyne properties in its roots.

Invasive species

Carduus crispus is an introduced species in North America, and a noxious weed in several U.S. states, including West Virginia.[4]

References

  1. "Carduus crispus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. Species account from ARS Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) — Carduus crispus . accessed 4.8.2013
  4. USDA . accessed 4.8.2013
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