Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Carduus L., Sp. Pl. 820-826 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Plumeless thistle
 Description

Annual to perennial herbs. Stems winged. Hairs soft and multicellular, or cobwebby, sometimes papillate. Lvs alternate, sessile or cuneate at base, simple, dentate to pinnatisect; lobes and teeth spine-tipped. Capitula homogamous, cylindric to ovoid, globose, obconic or hemispheric, solitary or in clusters. Involucral bracts in several series, lanceolate to linear, evenly tapered or with a narrow claw and broader limb; hairs papillate, cobwebby, or 0; outer bracts usually spine-tipped. Receptacle flat; scales numerous, setaceous. Florets ☿, all tubular. Corolla glabrous, 5-lobed, usually purple, rarely pink to white. Anthers acute at apex, with basal appendages 0.5–1.5 mm long; filaments ciliate or papillate. Style branches linear, erect, appressed. Achenes obovoid, weakly flattened, glabrous, smooth; achene insertion basal; pappus hairs in several rows, soft or ± stiff, silvery or sordid, scabrid, united at base into a ring.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Carduus L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised4
Total4
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.