Carduus pycnocephalus, with common names including Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle, and Plymouth thistle, [1] is a species of thistle. It is native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; Eastern Europe and the Caucasus; and the Indian Subcontinent. [2]

Italian thistle can facilitate fire spread and frequency by providing fuels in some habitats and creates monocultures that reduce native seedling recruitment and survival. It is a host species for the introduced weevil, Rhinocilus conicus, which also attacks native thistles.

Italian thistle is a winter annual that quickly overtakes pastures and rangelands. It is an early grower, flowering early in the summer which allows it to absorb moisture other forage plants and native plants desire.

Carduus pycnocephalus is an annual herb that is not native to California. [Wikipedia] Origins: Carduus pycnocephalus, with common names including Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle, and Plymouth thistle, is a species of thistle.

Italian thistle is a winter annual, and sometimes biennial, weed. It is native to the Mediterranean region and central Europe. It is a noxious weed in California, and is found mostly in the southern North Coast region, the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Central Coast, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the South Coast Ranges.

Italian thistle grows spiny, winged, erect to spreading stems 1-7 feet tall. Dense clusters of purple flowers form at the tips of the stems. Italian thistle dominates areas if left un-managed. It interferes with livestock grazing and degrades wildlife habitat. Take action to control it.

Italian plumeless thistle General Information Symbol: CAPY2: Group: Dicot: Duration: Annual: Growth Habits: Forb/herb: Native Status: HI I | L48 I

Recognizing Italian thistle. Italian thistle is an annual or sometimes biennial that grows six to eight feet tall with spiny, winged . stems. Leaves are nearly hairless, green lobed and have cobwebby hairs on the undersides. Flowerheads are purple, narrow and in clusters of one to five. Bracts at the base of flowerheads are stiff and upright ...

Mar 24, 2025 · Italian Thistle is a remarkable herb celebrated for its dynamic medicinal profile and ecological resilience. Known for its distinctive spiny foliage and striking purple blossoms, Italian Thistle has been traditionally harnessed for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties.

Italian thistle. The subject has been extensively researched, but there are no USDA approved biocontrol agents recommended for use in California. Many insects feed on Italian thistle, but the few that effectively control infestations also feed on economically valuable species (Sheppard et al. 1991). Only three