Golden Thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Golden Thistle
• Spanish oysterplant
• Spanish salsify
• sunnariah
• common golden thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Scolymus hispanicus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Scolymus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found within the borders of Germany. The species also inhabits the mountainous landscapes of Switzerland. Finally, its range extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically appearing in the Baleares and Corse.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Scolymus hispanicus is characterized by its significant adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied terrain. It occupies an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1500 m AMSL. This species is frequently found in a wide array of habitats, including gardens, along riverbanks, in sandy substrates, along shores, and within stony places, demonstrating a high tolerance for different soil types and moisture levels. Furthermore, the plant exhibits active defense mechanisms, which assist it in navigating its ecological niche and surviving herbivory or environmental stressors.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

garden,rivers,sand,shores,stonyplaces

Life history

The life history of Scolymus hispanicus is characterized by a lifecycle that is primarily biennial, though it can exhibit variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions. As a plant, it functions as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or ground debris. This life form, classified under both hemicryptophyte categories, allows the species to persist through unfavorable seasons by utilizing its subterranean structures to facilitate regrowth or complete its reproductive cycle.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Scolymus hispanicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species is an independent plant, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and it is strictly self-supporting rather than being a climber or liana. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation, reaching a minimum height of 0.15 m and a maximum height of 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Scolymus hispanicus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring leaves that exhibit a distinct pinnatifid form. These leaves vary significantly in dimensions, with a minimum length of 4 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 20 cm, while their width ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

pinnatifid

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scolymus hispanicus is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system that relies on biotic pollination. The plant produces yellow flowers that are primarily pollinated by insects, and it does not exhibit self-fertilization, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. The flowering period is highly variable, typically beginning around April and potentially extending through to January. Following successful pollination, the plant develops indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are relatively small, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm. A remarkable feature of this species is its high reproductive output, producing a prolific quantity of seeds, often exceeding 1000 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00465 g, a minimum mass of 0.0022 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00565 g. Dispersal of these seeds is described as unspecialized, though it also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies, meaning dispersal can be influenced by human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jan

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00565 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0046533335 g

Seed mass min:

0.0022 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Scolymus hispanicus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, Suillin, Taraxasteryl acetate.

5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Food science & nutrition

Suillin

1. Journal of natural products

Taraxasteryl acetate

1. Planta medica

Activities

Scolymus hispanicus has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Hypoglycemic, Spasmogenic.

Antidiabetic

1. Food science & nutrition

Antioxidant

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antispasmodic

1. Planta medica

Hypoglycemic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Spasmogenic

1. Planta medica

Medicinal Uses

Scolymus hispanicus has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Hepatic Steatosis, Metabolic Syndrome, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations