Cirsium eriophorum

Cirsium eriophorum, the woolly thistle,[2] is a herbaceous biennial species of the genus Cirsium. It is widespread across much of Europe. It is a large, biennial herb with sharp spines on the tips of the leaves, and long, woolly hairs on much of the herbage. Flower heads are large and nearly spherical, with spines on the outside and many purple disc florets but no ray florets.[3][4]

Flower head of C. eriophorum in Kozara National Park, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cirsium eriophorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Cirsium
Species:
C. eriophorum
Binomial name
Cirsium eriophorum
Synonyms[1]

Description

A tall, biennial herb, C. eriophorum reaches heights of 50 to 150 cm (20 to 60 in). The strong, branched stem is densely woolly hairy but has no wings. The stiff leaves are usually pinnate with strong, yellow spines; the lowest leaves are up to 80 cm (30 in) long. The leaf margins are rolled over and the underside of the leaf is felted with white hair. The inflorescence is cymose with a few large flowers with a diameter of up to 7 cm (3 in). These are globular and densely covered with woolly hair. They contain many tubular florets, with long purple tubes and purple stamens, each with a spiny bract covered with white wool through which a spine projects.[2][5] The flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, flies, beetles, butterflies and moths.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Cirsium eriophorum has a Central and Western Europe distribution. Its range extends from Upper Volga and the Balkans to the Netherlands, France and Britain.[6] It typically grows in grassland, scrubland and open woodland on chalk, limestone or alkaline clay soils, including the disturbed ground caused by quarrying. In Britain, it grows up to about 310 m (1,000 ft) and is largely confined to central and southern England.[7]

Uses

Young leaves of C. eriophorum can be eaten raw, and young stems can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked, first being soaked in water which removes the bitterness. The flower buds can be used in a similar way to artichokes, but being smaller this is a fiddly business; an edible oil can be extracted from the seeds, and the pappus can be used as tinder for lighting fires.[6]

The plant is hardy and can be easily grown in a sunny position in the garden, in a wildflower meadow or in dappled shade in a woodland garden. In the United Kingdom, it flowers between July and September.[6]

References
  1. The Plant List, Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop.
  2. "Woolly thistle". The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  3. Tofts, R. (1999). "Cirsium eriophorum (L.) Scop. (Carduus eriophorus L.; Cnicus eriophorus (L.) Roth)". Journal of Ecology. 87 (3): 529–542. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.1999.00369.x. ISSN 1365-2745.
  4. "Cirsium eriophorum [Cardo lanoso] - Flora Italiana". luirig.altervista.org. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  5. Oberdorfer, Erich (2001). Pflanzensoziologische Exkursionsflora für Deutschland und angrenzende Gebiete. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-3131-5.
  6. "Cirsium eriophorum". Plants For A Future. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  7. "Cirsium eriophorum". Online Atlas of the British and Irish flora. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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