Cirsium arvense

Corn thistle

Cirsium arvense, commonly known as creeping thistle, is a resilient perennial herb found across much of the Northern Hemisphere. Renowned for its prickly foliage and vibrant purple flower heads, this plant holds traditional significance in herbal medicine, where its various parts are utilized for their potential therapeutic properties.

  • Scientific name: Cirsium arvense
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by 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, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In French, it is referred to as Cirse des champs, while in Chinese, it is called 丝路蓟. It is known as Баҫыу билсәне in Bashkir, calcida in Catalan, and is called Acker-Kratzdistel in German.
Language Common Name Source
fr Cirse des champs Wikidata
zh 丝路蓟 Wikidata
ba Баҫыу билсәне Wikidata
ca calcida Wikidata
de Acker-Kratzdistel Wikidata
da Ager-Tidsel Wikidata
cs pcháč rolní Wikidata
fi pelto-ohdake Wikidata
pnb لے Wikidata
ru бодяк полевой Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Føroyaar and Iceland. Additionally, the species is well-established throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight its ability to thrive in various Northern European environments.

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, utilizes its leaves as a primary structural and physiological component. The leaves are typically large, deeply lobed, and characterized by prickly or spiny margins, which serve as a natural defense mechanism against herbivores. These leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and play a crucial role in photosynthesis, capturing sunlight to fuel the plant's rapid growth and spreading via its extensive rhizome system.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cirsium arvense has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include sodium picolinate, tannins.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
sodium picolinate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cirsium arvense has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cirsium arvense has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆