Illyrian Thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Illyrian Thistle
• Illyrian cottonthistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Onopordum acanthium subsp. illyricum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Asterales and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Onopordum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing across the Balearic Islands, known as Baleares. Additionally, its habitat extends to the island of Corsica and the coastal regions of France. The species is also documented in the territory of Portugal. Finally, its range includes the Italian island of Sardegna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Onofridum illyricum is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning it typically completes its developmental stages over a period of two years. As a plant that survives the dormant season with its perennating buds located at or just below the soil surface, its life form is classified as a hemicryptophyte. This growth strategy allows it to navigate seasonal changes effectively, utilizing its structural characteristics to endure varying environmental conditions throughout its existence.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Onopordum illyricum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or liana. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. It is a non-woody species that maintains an upright habit, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Onopordum illyricum is characterized by a robust vegetative structure designed to maximize photosynthetic efficiency and resource acquisition within its native habitats. The plant exhibits significant morphological scaling in its foliage, supporting an expansive surface area for light interception; specifically, the leaves can reach a maximum length of 55 cm and a maximum width of 15 cm. This substantial leaf size facilitates high rates of transpiration and gas exchange, which are essential for maintaining turgor pressure and driving the metabolic processes required for its rapid growth cycles. The structural integrity of these large leaves is supported by a complex vascular network that efficiently distributes water and minerals from the root system to the distal portions of the lamina, ensuring that even at their maximum dimensions, the photosynthetic tissues remain optimally hydrated and metabolically active.

Leaf length max:

55 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Onopordum illyricum is characterized by a highly variable flowering period that can span almost any month of the year, typically beginning in December and reaching its conclusion around February. The plant produces fruits categorized as achenes, which are notably indehiscent, meaning they do not open at maturity to release seeds. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.012996 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.012 g to a maximum of 0.0138 g. For the purpose of propagation and spreading, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its lightweight seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.0138 g

Seed mass mean:

0.012996 g

Seed mass min:

0.012 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Onopordum illyricum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cynarin, Sesquiterpene.

Cynarin

1. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology

Sesquiterpene

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Onopordum illyricum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antioxidant.

Antihypertensive

1. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology

Antioxidant

1. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology

Conditions

Onopordum illyricum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antipyretic, skin ulcers, ulcerative colitis.

Antipyretic

1. Fitoterapia

Skin ulcers

1. Fitoterapia

Ulcerative colitis

1. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology