Carduus nutans
(Musk Thistle)
Cirsium texanum, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 7184
Cirsium texanum, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 7199
Cirsium texanum, FM 580, San Saba Co. 4000
Cirsium texanum, FM 580, San Saba Co. 3997
| Scientific Name | Carduus nutans | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CANU4 |
| Common Name | Musk Thistle | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 35787 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Aggressive weed of waste ground, pastures, roadsides, fields in a variety of environments. Plant: Large, branching annual or biennial, one to seven feet tall; stems spiny-winged from the leaf bases. Leaves: Leaves 4 to 16 inches long, deeply pinnately-lobed with sharp spines; basal and stem leaves similar; stem leaves winged (extending down the stem). Inflorescence: Large, rayless erect or nodding flower heads 2 to 3 inches across, deep pink disk florets in the center; bracts beneath with very sharp points, lower ones are recurved. Bloom Period: May to July. References: "Manual of teh Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Rockies" by Carl Schreier, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024