Cirsium lanceolatum
Cirsium vulgare · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (22 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Cirsium lanceolatum, scientifically known as Cirsium vulgare, is a hardy perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. Commonly called bull thistle, this plant is recognized by its prickly leaves and purple flower heads. Historically, it has been utilized in traditional medicine for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Fruit · Leaf
- Common names
- Spear Thistle · Scotch Thistle · 6 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Epitrachys Vulgaris · Carduus Vulgaris
Names
Common Names
- Spear Thistle
- Scotch thistle
- Scottish thistle
- black thistle
- boar thistle
- bull thistle
- common thistle
- green thistle
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Cirsium lanceolatum
- cardo-borriquero
- cardo-común
- cardo-negro
- cardo-silvestre
- cardo-vulgar
German:
- Gewöhnliche Kratzdistel
- Cirsium lanceolatum
- Lanzettkratzdistel
- Gemeine Kratzdistel
- Lanzett-Kratzdistel
- Lanzettblättrige Kratzdistel
- cirse commun
- Lanzett-Kratzdistel
- Gemeine Kratzdistel
- Lanzettblaettrige Kratzdistel
French:
- Cirse commun
- chardon lancéolé
- chardon vulgaire
- gros chardon
- piqueux
- Cirse commun
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Cirsium vulgareSynonyms
- Epitrachys vulgaris
- Carduus vulgaris
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cirsium, specifically as the species Cirsium vulgare.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cirsium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Cirsium vulgare, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. Its presence is documented in the coastal landscapes of the Faroe Islands, referred to as Føroyaar. It also grows throughout the various territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species can be found within the northern reaches of Denmark. Finally, its geographical range extends into the northernmost territories of Finland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as bull thistle, possesses several distinct morphological features used in various botanical studies. The robust roots typically consist of a deep taproot system that anchors the plant firmly in the soil. Its large, prickly leaves are characterized by deep lobes and sharp spines along the margins, serving as a primary site for photosynthesis. The reproductive stage is marked by a striking, thistle-like inflorescence, which consists of dense, purple-to-pink flower heads. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits known as achenes, which are often dispersed by the wind. Each of these seeds is encased in a specialized fruit wall that protects the developing embryo until it is ready for dispersal.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cirsium vulgare has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tannins, Tracheloside, balanophonin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tracheloside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| balanophonin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Tannins
- Natural product research
Tracheloside
- Journal of chromatography. A
balanophonin
- Journal of chromatography. A
Activities
Cirsium vulgare has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cirsium vulgare has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Proteus vulgaris.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Natural product research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Natural product research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | Natural product research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proteus vulgaris | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| embryo part | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit wall | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |