Plumeless Thistle

Carduus acanthoides L.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

flowering plants ▲▼

flowering plants ▲▼

flower bud▲

flower ▲

 ▲ comparison between plumeless thistle flower (left) and musk thistle flower (right)

·         Plumeless Thistle: (pp. 94-95 in Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

o   Biennial thistle very similar to musk thistle, except leaves are more narrow and deeply lobed, with more marginal spines, and

 

o   Flowers are smaller, (0.5-1.5 inches diameter) with more lanceolate/linear flat bracts, rather than triangular bracts seen on musk thistle

 

o   Found in pastures, along roadsides