Scolymus hispanicus
Sp. Pl. 2: 813. 1753.
Common names: Golden thistle Spanish salsify or oyster
WeedyIntroducedIllustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 19. Treatment on page 220.
Revision as of 19:50, 5 November 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Biennials or perennials. Stem wings not continuous, margins spinose, little, if at all, white or thickened. Leaf blades 40–200 × 15–70 mm, margins little, if at all white or thickened. Involucres 15–20 × 8–10 mm, larger in fruit. Phyllaries lanceolate, glabrous. Cypsela/palea units ± orbiculate to ovate, 3–5 mm; pappi of 2–4 setiform-aristate scales plus 0–4 muticous to lanceolate scales. 2n = 20.
Phenology: Flowering Jul.
Habitat: Disturbed sites
Elevation: 0–100 m
Distribution
Introduced; Ala., Calif., N.Y., Pa., Europe.
Discussion
In the Mediterranean region, Scolymus hispanicus is used (or has been used) as a medicinal herb and root vegetable. It is considered to be a noxious weed in the United States.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.