field thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• curled thistle
• curly plumeless-thistle
• welted thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polyacantha crispa
• Polycantha crispus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Carduus crispus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Asterales. Ultimately, it is a member of the Asteraceae family and is placed within the genus Carduus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Carduus crispus, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Furthermore, its presence extends to the northern territories of Finland. The species is also documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range includes the coastal and inland areas of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carduus crispus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of environments, including crop fields, forests, old fields, and shrubberies. This plant exhibits significant adaptability to varying topographical settings, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. On average, the species is found at a mean elevation of 2000 m AMSL, demonstrating its capacity to inhabit both lowland disturbed areas and higher mountainous regions.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, forest, old fields, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Carduus crispus is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning it typically completes its biological processes over a period of two years. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its developmental stages or responds to seasonal changes. This combination of a biennial strategy and a hemicryptophytic life form allows the species to establish itself firmly within its ecological niche before proceeding to its reproductive phase.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carduus crispus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining an independent and terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variability in height, with individual specimens typically ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.125 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carduus crispus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic processes for nutrient acquisition. In terms of morphological leaf characteristics, the species maintains an average leaf size of 50.82 cm², while its Specific Leaf Area (SLA) averages 236 cm²/g, reflecting its resource allocation strategies and leaf mass per area.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

50.82 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

236 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carduus crispus is characterized by a primarily sexual process, as the plant is bisexual and lacks asexual reproduction. As a monocarp, it completes its reproductive cycle once before death. The flowering period typically begins in July and extends through September. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, which can occur through self-fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a minimum mass of 0.0016 g, a maximum mass of 0.00203 g, and an average mass of approximately 0.1191 g. For the spread of the next generation, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing the wind to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00203 g

Seed mass mean:

0.119124444333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0016 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Carduus crispus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, STIGMASTEROL, beta-Amyrin palmitate, luteolin 7-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

STIGMASTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

beta-Amyrin palmitate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

luteolin 7-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica