Musk Thistle, Nodding plumeless thistle
Carduus nutans
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Pastures, arable fields and waste places on calcareous soils.
Most of Europe, including Britain, north to Norway, south and east to N. Africa, Siberia and W. Asia
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Russia, Siberia, Tasmania, Turkey, USA.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Pith of stem - boiled. A pleasant taste, it is eaten like asparagus. Said to be delicious. The dried flowers are used as a curdling agent for plant milks etc.
Oil: Oil
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Curdling agent: used to curdle soya milk in making cheese.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The flowers are febrifuge and are used to purify the blood. The seeds contain a fixed oil that is rich in linoleic acid. This has proved of benefit in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Blood purifier: Purifies the blood.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Other
Rating: 3
The down of the plant is used to make paper. The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression. This species contains 41 - 44% oil. The plant is very attractive to bees, hoverflies and butterflies, it is a food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species. Dynamic accumulator.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil. The flowers, and indeed the whole plant, give off a pleasing musk-like perfume.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Best place to grow: Meadow; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Biennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
A serious pasture weed in parts of New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and Argentina.
Its other names
Local names
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.