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Bristle Thistle, Musk Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle - Carduus nutans


Family: Asteraceae - Aster family Genus Common Name: Plumeless Thistle Native Status: IntroducedDicot Biennial Perennial Herb
Carduus nutans - Bristle Thistle, Musk Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle. Carduus nutans is not native to the United States, but has spread to nearly every state as well as to most of Canada. It is on the official noxious weed list in at least 25 states. Feel free to pull it up and discard it, but use gloves!

Found in:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY

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Carduus nutans

Distribution of Carduus nutans in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

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Site: Rutherford County, TN Date: 2009-June-13Photographer: Cindy Williamson
Bristle Thistle is also known as Musk Thistle and Nodding Thistle, but I like the sound of Bristle Thistle.
Carduus nutans
Site: Rutherford County, TN Date: 2009-June-13Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nodding Thistle's blossom is a cluster of small disk flowers at the end of a long stalk. This is another member of Asteraceae which has no ray flowers. The upper part of the stalk is mostly smooth up to the involucre, and the lower part is clasped by spiny wing-like leaves.
Carduus nutans
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Carduus nutans initially published on USWildflowers.com 2009-07-05; Updated 2015-06-24

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