Musk Thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• musk thistle
• nodding plumeless-thistle
• nodding thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ascalea nutans
• Onopyxus nutans

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Carduus, specifically as the species Carduus nutans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, commonly known as nodding thistle, exhibits a specific range across Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced through several key countries in the region. Specifically, it is found growing within the territories of Denmark and Great Britain. The species also extends its presence to the islands of Ireland and the mainland of Norway. Finally, its geographical reach is completed by its occurrence in Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carduus nutans is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse topographical landscapes, primarily finding its niche within hilly terrains. It exhibits an extensive elevational distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum altitude of 3,500 m AMSL. This wide vertical span allows the species to inhabit various climatic zones, though it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1,420 m AMSL. This altitudinal flexibility enables the plant to colonize a variety of disturbed or open environments within these hilly habitats.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1420 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills

Life history

The life history of Carduus nutans is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning the plant typically completes its biological cycle over a period of two years. During its first year, it functions as a growing organism focused on establishing a robust root system and a basal rosette of leaves, and it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, which helps protect it during unfavorable conditions. The plant's lifespan is generally categorized within a one-year developmental framework for its initial growth phase before it reaches reproductive maturity in its second year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Lifespan :

1

Morphology

The morphology of Carduus nutans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, growing independently in its environment. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carduus nutans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, as it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. The plant's vegetative development is heavily defined by its leaf morphology, which exhibits significant variability in dimensions. The leaves typically maintain a mean length of 25 cm, with a range extending from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 40 cm, while the width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 10 cm, resulting in a mean width of 6.5 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 45.99 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 170.5 cm²/g, reflecting its internal leaf structure and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length mean:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf size mean:

45.99 cm²

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

170.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carduus nutans is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, although the plant is a monocarp, meaning it completes its life cycle after a single reproductive event. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in August. The pollination syndrome is biotic, specifically relying on insects, with bees being a primary pollinator. While self-fertilization is present, the plant utilizes these insect vectors to facilitate its reproductive cycle. Following fertilization, the plant produces indehiscent fruits in the form of achenes. These fruits maintain a consistent length of approximately 0.35 cm. The resulting seeds are uniform in size, with a mean length of 3.5 mm (ranging from a minimum to maximum of 3.5 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.00376 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0018 g to a maximum of 0.00827 g. Dispersal is anemochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Monocarpy :

monocarp

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

3.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00827 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0037641665 g

Seed mass min:

0.0018 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Carduus nutans has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Sterols, Terpenes.

Coumarins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sterols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Terpenes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Carduus nutans has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic.

Diuretic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity