Pine Thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pine Thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acarna macrocephala
• Atractylis acaulis
• Atractylis gummifera
• Atractylis nemotoiana
• Carthamus gummiferus
• Carlina gummifera
• Cirsellium gummiferum
• Acarna gummifera
• Carlina fontanesii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Chamaeleon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Portugal and Spain. Its presence also extends to the islands of Corse and Sardegna. Additionally, the species is located within Southeastern Europe, specifically in Greece. These diverse locations highlight its characteristic preference for the southwestern and southeastern Mediterranean landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chamaeleon gummifer is characterized by its classification as a therophyte, meaning it completes its entire life cycle within a single growing season. As a plant that relies on a temporary presence in its environment, it survives unfavorable periods through the production of resistant seeds rather than perennial structures. In terms of its growth habit and height distribution, it is specifically identified as a therophyte, a classification that dictates its strategy of rapid development from germination to seed dispersal before the onset of seasonal dormancy. This ephemeral life strategy allows it to exploit brief windows of resource availability, ensuring that it fulfills its reproductive requirements within a condensed temporal framework.

Life form :

therophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Chamaeleon gummifer is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural composition. This species exhibits a versatile ecological distribution, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic habitats to terrestrial environments. In terms of its physical structure, the plant is classified as non-woody, lacking the rigid, lignified stems associated with woody perennials, which allows for greater flexibility in its varied habitats.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983)

Activities

Chamaeleon gummifer has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.

Toxic

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Chamaeleon gummifer has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include skin diseases.

Skin diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Chamaeleon gummifer has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chewing gum, chewing the roots.

Chewing gum

1. Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983)

Chewing the roots

1. Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983)