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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

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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.

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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 itâ€™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.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Carduus cernuus		Biennial	0.9	-		LMH	N	M	1	0	2
Carduus crispus	Welted Thistle, Curly plumeless thistle	Biennial	0.9	6-9		LMH	N	M	1	1	1

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.

Carduus nutans - L.