Cirsium

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Cirsium
Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Carduoideae
Tribe:
Cynareae
Genus:
Cirsium
Species

About 200[1]; see text

Cirsium arizonicum (Arizona Thistle)
Cirsium canum (Queen Anne's Thistle)
Bumblebee on thistle flower

Cirsium is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Asteraceae, one of several genera known popularly as thistles. They are mostly native to Eurasia and northern Africa, with three[1] species from North America (although several species have been introduced outside their native ranges).

They are known for their effusive flowered heads (usually purple, rose, yellow, or white). The radially symmetrical disk flowers are situated at the end of the branches. They have erect, prickly stems and leaves, with a characteristic focal point at the base of the flower which is particularly spiny. The leaves are alternate and can be slightly hairy; Their stem wings can be lacking (Cirsium arvensis), conspicuous (Cirsium vulgare), or inconspicuous. They can spread by seed and rhizome (Cirsium arvensis) or by seed alone. Their seed has tiny tufts of hair, which can carry them far by wind.

Cirsium thistles are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species - see list of Lepidoptera that feed on Cirsium.

Most species are considered weeds, but some are cultivated in gardens for their aesthetic value, and blessed thistle is believed to be a galactagogue. Some common species: Cirsium lanceolatum, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium oleraceum.

The word 'Cirsium' derives from the Greek word kirsos, meaning 'swollen vein'. Thistles were used as a remedy against swollen veins.

Species

Hybrids
  • Cirsium × canalense - Canal Thistle
  • Cirsium × crassum - Thistle
  • Cirsium × erosum - Glory Thistle
  • Cirsium × iowense - Iowa Thistle
  • Cirsium × vancouverense - Vancouver Thistle

References

  1. ^ a b "Cirsium". Flora of North America.

Further reading

  • Everitt, J.H. (2007). Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) ISBN 0-89672-614-2
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carduoideae.
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