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Summary
Physical Characteristics

Carduus nutans is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Meadow; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil Stem
Edible Uses: Curdling agent Oil
Pith of stem - boiled[61]. A pleasant taste[105], it is eaten like asparagus[177]. Said to be delicious[183]. The dried flowers are used as a curdling agent for plant milks etc[61, 183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Blood purifier Febrifuge
The flowers are febrifuge and are used to purify the blood[145, 240]. The seeds contain a fixed oil that is rich in linoleic acid[240]. This has proved of benefit in the prevention of atherosclerosis[240].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Oil Paper
The down of the plant is used to make paper[4]. The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[4]. This species contains 41 - 44% oil[240]. The plant is very attractive to bees, hoverflies and butterflies[13, 245], it is a food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species[30]. Dynamic accumulator.
Special Uses
Attracts Wildlife Dynamic accumulator Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil[1, 200]. The flowers, and indeed the whole plant, give off a pleasing musk-like perfume[245].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Preferred Common Name: nodding thistle. Other Names: musk thistle. Spanish: cardo almizclero; cardo pendiente; cardo rojo. French: chardon nu; chardon penche. Germany: Nickende Distel. Italy: cardo rosso. Netherlands: knikkende Distel. Sweden: nicktistel.
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Russia, Siberia, Tasmania, Turkey, USA.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
A serious pasture weed in parts of New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and Argentina.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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