Cirsium monspessulanum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cirsium monspessulanum var. laxum
• Cirsium bulbosum
• Cirsium monspessulanum var. compactum
• Carduus monspessulanus
• Cirsium compactum
• Cirsium montanum
• Cnicus monspessulanus
• Cirsium monspessulanum subsp. monspessulanum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Cirsium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its range extends into the country of Germany. Moving toward the western coast, it is widely distributed throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in France, Portugal, and Spain. The species also makes a notable appearance in Southeastern Europe within the borders of Italy. Overall, its geographical footprint covers a significant portion of the southern and central European landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cirsium montsesculanum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennuating buds are located at or near the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable conditions. This specific life form, categorized both as a hemicryptophyte and under the broader classification of hemicryptophyte, enables the species to survive seasonal changes while maintaining the capacity for regrowth from its basal structures.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cirsium montanum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, maintaining a self-supporting structure throughout its life cycle. It is an independent organism that does not act as a parasite, growing in a terrestrial manner rather than as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, ranging from a minimum of 0.8 m to a maximum of 1.8 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.8 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cirsium montsespullanum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that facilitates its pollination and subsequent seed production. The flowering period typically commences in June, marking the beginning of its reproductive phase, and continues steadily through the summer months until it reaches its conclusion in August. This concentrated window of activity ensures that the plant's reproductive efforts are synchronized with favorable environmental conditions during the mid-to-late summer season.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cirsium monspessulanum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity