Cirsium arvense var. arvense
Cirsium arvense var. arvense, commonly known as creeping thistle, is a resilient perennial herb characterized by its prickly leaves and distinctive pinkish-purple flower heads. Widely distributed across temperate regions, this plant holds historical significance in traditional medicine, particularly for its purported diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties in herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Cirsium arvense var. arvense
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Cirsium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cirsium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cirsium arvense var. arvense, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is most frequently called creeping thistle, while in German, it is known as Acker-Distel. In French, the species is identified as chardon des champs, and in Spanish, it is commonly referred to as cardo arvense.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is found across several regions within Northern Europe. Its documented distribution includes the territories of Denmark and Finland. It also grows within the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. Additionally, the species can be located throughout Great Britain. These specific areas highlight its presence across diverse Northern European landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as creeping thistle, can be utilized in its entirety, often referred to as the whole grass in various traditional preparations. The botanical structure begins with a robust underground rhizome system that allows the species to spread effectively through the soil. From this base, the aerial parts emerge, consisting of sturdy stems and distinctive prickly leaves. These aboveground parts bear the characteristic purple flower heads that are central to its medicinal identity. Ultimately, the aboveground vegetation serves as the primary source for harvesting the plant's therapeutic components.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole grass | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| underground | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aboveground part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aboveground | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |