plumeless thistle

plant

Also known as: Carduus

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Plumeless thistle is a type of thistle belonging to the genus Carduus. Thistles are weedy plants, often characterized by prickly leaves and dense flower heads with small, typically pink or purple blooms.1

Plants in the Carduus genus, which includes plumeless thistles, are distinguished by their spiny stems and flower heads that lack ray flowers. This contrasts with "plumed thistles," which may refer to the bull thistle or other species within the Carduus genus. Thistles are part of the Asteraceae family.12

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thistle
…the genus Carduus, sometimes called plumeless thistles, have spiny stems and flower heads without ray flowers. Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a troublesome weed in agricultural areas of North America, and more than 10 species of sow thistle (Sonchus) are widespread throughout Europe. Some species of globe thistle (Echinops) are…
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…the genus Carduus, sometimes called plumeless thistles, have spiny stems and flower heads without ray flowers. Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a troublesome weed in agricultural areas of North America, and more than 10 species of sow thistle (Sonchus) are widespread throughout Europe. Some species of globe thistle (Echinops) are…
Read More