Carduus tenuiflorus

Taxobox
name = "Carduus tenuiflorus"


image_width = 260px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
tribus = Cynareae
genus = "Carduus"
species = "C. tenuiflorus"
binomial = "Carduus tenuiflorus"
binomial_authority = W. Curtis

"Carduus tenuiflorus" is a species of thistle known as the winged thistle or slender-flowered thistle. It is native to Europe and North Africa but is well-known on other continents where it is an introduced species and noxious weed. This thistle may exceed two meters in height. Its tall stem is ridged with wings and has long spines which may be several centimeters in length. The dull olive-green leaves are lobed and wrinkled and may fold and crease themselves. The inflorescences may hold up to 20 flower heads which are somewhat rounded, covered in wide, spiny phyllaries, and packed with pale pink to bright purple long-tubed disc florets. This is a tenacious weed of roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas.

External links

* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,867,871 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CATE2 USDA Plants Profile]
* [http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Carduus+tenuiflorus Photo gallery]