stemless carline thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• carline thistle
• stemless carline thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chromatolepis acaulis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Carlina, with the species name acaulis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Carlina acaulis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within the regions of Middle Europe. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of Austria and Germany. Its presence extends through the territories of Czechia and Slovakia as well. Additionally, the species is documented within the borders of Hungary. Finally, its natural range includes various habitats throughout Poland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carlina acaulis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and often rugged landscapes, ranging from shaded forest understories to open, sun-drenched meadows and high-altitude mountain environments. This plant exhibits significant adaptability to varying light intensities and soil conditions, frequently colonizing rocky terrains and calcareous soils where competition from dense vegetation may be limited. By occupying these distinct niches—from the sheltered, nutrient-rich floor of a forest to the exposed, wind-swept slopes of mountainous regions—the species utilizes a wide range of microclimates. Its presence in meadows suggests a reliance on specific moisture levels and seasonal temperature fluctuations typical of temperate ecosystems, allowing it to integrate into complex biotic communities across its geographic range.

Habitat :

forest, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Carlina acaulis is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in its habitat over multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a hemicryptophyte, the plant protects its perenn Perennating buds at the soil surface level, allowing it to withstand varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carlina acaulis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant is relatively diminutive in stature, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.31 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.31 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carlina acaulis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, with an average leaf size of approximately 40.0114 cm². Furthermore, its leaf structure is defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 109.55 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf surface area and its dry mass density.

Leaf size mean:

40.0114 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

109.55 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carlina acaulis is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized biological mechanisms. The flowering period typically occurs during the late summer, beginning in August and concluding in September. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While it is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is heavily tied to these insect interactions. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.0040665 g, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values hovering tightly around 0.00405 g. Once mature, the seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind as the primary medium for movement to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00405 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0040665 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carlina acaulis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Carlina acaulis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carlina oxide, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Fatty acids, Flavonoids, INULIN.

Carlina oxide

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. Scientific reports
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Planta medica

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Fatty acids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

INULIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neochlorogenic acid

1. Scientific reports

Triterpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Carlina acaulis has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Diuretic.

Antimicrobial

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Planta medica

Anthelmintic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Carlina acaulis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include African trypanosomiasis, diuretic, oxidative stress, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations