Thomson thistle

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arctium thomsonii
• Cousinia brandisii
• Cousinia xanthophoenicea
• Cousinia elasoonensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Cousinia thomsonii, 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 is situated within the genus Cousinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In Western Asia, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Afghanistan. Moving eastward, it can be found growing in the high-altitude terrains of Tibet in China. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in both Nepal and Pakistan. Finally, its range extends across the rugged landscapes of the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cousinia thomsonii is characterized by its distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives across a significant vertical gradient. This species is specifically adapted to alpine or sub-alpine zones, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 2,800 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant persists through various climatic strata, reaching a mean elevation of approximately 4,000 m AMSL. The upper limit of its ecological niche is reached at an elevation of 4,300 m AMSL, indicating a high tolerance for the extreme environmental conditions, such as lower temperatures and intense solar radiation, typically found in these high-elevation habitats.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cousinia thomsonii is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning the plant typically completes its developmental stages over a period of two years. During its first year of existence, the plant focuses on vegetative growth, establishing a robust root system and developing basal foliage to accumulate necessary energy reserves. In its second year, the plant transitions into its reproductive phase, producing inflorescences to facilitate flowering and subsequent seed production. This two-year cycle allows the species to optimize its resource allocation between survival and reproduction within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cousinia thomsonii is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, appearing as a non-woody organism. Although it exhibits herbaceous traits, its physical structure functions as a self-supporting climber, requiring no external support to maintain its posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cousinia thomsonii has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DOTRIACONTANE, Stigmast-5-en-3-ol, ascorbic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, oleate.

DOTRIACONTANE

1. Journal of inflammation research

Stigmast-5-en-3-ol

1. Journal of inflammation research

ascorbic acid

1. Journal of inflammation research

n-Hexadecanoic acid

1. Journal of inflammation research

oleate

1. Journal of inflammation research

Activities

Cousinia thomsonii has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. PloS one

Conditions

Cousinia thomsonii has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, cancer, inflammation, oxidative stress, spondylitis.

Arthritis

1. Journal of inflammation research

Cancer

1. Journal of inflammation research

Inflammation

1. PloS one

Oxidative stress

1. PloS one

Spondylitis

1. Journal of inflammation research

Type 2 diabetes

1. Journal of inflammation research

Preparations

Cousinia thomsonii has 8 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate extract, aqueous extract, ethanol extract, ethyl-acetate extract, ethylacetate extract.

Ethyl acetate extract

1. PloS one
2. Journal of inflammation research

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of inflammation research

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of inflammation research

Ethyl-acetate extract

1. PloS one

Ethylacetate extract

1. PloS one

Hexane extract

1. Journal of inflammation research

Methanol extract

1. Journal of inflammation research

Methanolic extract

1. PloS one