woolly distaff thistle
(Carthamus lanatus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Carthamus lanatus is a winter annual forb that can grow up to 3.3 ft. (1 m) tall.
Foliage
Stem leaves are alternate, pinnate, stiff, and covered in small hairs. The base of the leaves lack petioles and weakly clasp stems. Basal leaves are like the stem leaves but larger.
Flowers
Flowers are disk-shaped, yellow, 1-1.4 in. (25-35 mm) long. Receptacles are cone-shaped. Blooming occurs from July to August.
Fruit
Fruit is brown, oblong, 0.16-0.24 in. (4-6 mm) long, and notched near the base. Seeds are brownish in color, narrow, and 0.4-0.5 in. (10-13 mm) long.
Ecological Threat
Carthamus lanatus prefers disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and pastures. It is native to the Mediterranean and Europe.
Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
Carthamus lanatus is a winter annual forb that can grow up to 3.3 ft. (1 m) tall.
Foliage
Stem leaves are alternate, pinnate, stiff, and covered in small hairs. The base of the leaves lack petioles and weakly clasp stems. Basal leaves are like the stem leaves but larger.
Flowers
Flowers are disk-shaped, yellow, 1-1.4 in. (25-35 mm) long. Receptacles are cone-shaped. Blooming occurs from July to August.
Fruit
Fruit is brown, oblong, 0.16-0.24 in. (4-6 mm) long, and notched near the base. Seeds are brownish in color, narrow, and 0.4-0.5 in. (10-13 mm) long.
Ecological Threat
Carthamus lanatus prefers disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and pastures. It is native to the Mediterranean and Europe.
Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Asteranae |
| Order: Asterales |
| Family: Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: Carduoideae |
| Tribe: Cardueae |
| Genus: Carthamus |
| Carthamus lanatus |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.