Cirsium eriophorum

Woolly thistle ( Cirsium eriophorum )

The Woolly thistle ( Cirsium eriophorum ), also wool -headed thistle, is a plant of the genus thistles ( Cirsium ) in the sunflower family ( Asteraceae).

Description

The Woolly thistle is a herbaceous plant hapaxanthe reached the stature heights of 50 to 150 centimeters. The strong, branched stems with dense coat woolly. The stiff leaves are usually pinnatisect with bold, yellow spines. The leaf edges are rolled over and the leaf underside is white tomentose. The lower leaves are up to 80 cm long.

The individually standing, basket- shaped inflorescence has a diameter of about 4-7 centimeters (the largest of the genus ) and contains many tubular flowers. The purple corolla tube is 2.5 to 4.5 cm long and wrapped in purple stamens. The shell is spherical and densely provided with spidery, woolly hair. The flowering period extends from July to September.

The smooth and glossy achene has a size from 3.9 to 5.4 × 2.0 to 2.4 × 1.2 to 1.5 mm. The pappus consists of spring-like, have 15 to 33 mm long hair.

Occurrence

The Woolly thistle is spread from England to the Apennines and from the Pyrenees to the northern Balkans.

The Woolly thistle preferably lime, however, is also to be found on acidic soils. Typical locations are roadsides, sunny and stony soils, pastures and clearcuts.

It is found from the valley up to an altitude of 2300 meters.

Diseases

The Woolly thistle is attacked by the rust fungus Puccinia cnici var crassiuscula.

System

Cirsium eriophorum belongs in the genus Cirsium .. to section Eriolepis ( Cass. ) Dumort

For Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop. there are the synonyms: Carduus eriophorus L., Cnicus eriophorus (L.) Roth.