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Cynara humilis - L.

Common Name Wild thistle
Family Asteraceae
USDA hardiness 6-10
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Slightly rocky soil in full sun.
Range Algeria, Canary Is., Morocco, Portugal, Spain
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cynara humilis Wild thistle


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Cynara humilis Wild thistle
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cynara humilis is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Heterotypic Synonyms: Bourgaea humilis Coss. Bourgaea humilis var. cyanea Coss. Bourgaea humilis var. leucantha Coss. C. humilis var. lacinulata Brot. C. humilis var. leucantha (Coss.) Pérez Lara. C. humilis var. reflexa Batt. ex Jahand. & Maire. C. humilis var. typica Maire.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

The flowers of Cynara humilis and Cynara cardunculus are also used to curdle milk for making local varieties of cheese. Still closed flower heads can be used as a vegetable like those from the Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus ssp. scolymus) [2-4] .

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.


Traditionally used to treat skin burns and microbial infections.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Wild. A flowering plant in the artichoke and cardoon genus Cynara. Rich, well-drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a protected spot in full sun

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Dwarf Artichoke. Alcachofilla. Swedish: dvärgkronärtskocka.

Native Range

Native to: Algeria, Canary Is., Morocco, Portugal, Spain.

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This species has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cynara cardunculusCardoonPerennial2.0 5-9  LMHNDM351
Cynara scolymusGlobe ArtichokePerennial1.5 5-9  LMHNM352

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.

 

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Author

L.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Cynara humilis  
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