Carduus pycnocephalus
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It is a thistle. It grows for one or two years. It grows 20-130 cm tall. The leaves are alternate. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-6 pairs of lobes with spines.
There are about 90 Carduus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate or Mediterranean plant. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Australia, Chile, Europe, Hawaii, Iraq, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, Pacific, Sicily, South America, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay
How it is used for food
The stem can be eaten raw or stewed or added to soups. They are peeled. The very young shoots are boiled and then fried.
Edible parts
Leaves, stems
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Astreshinka, Cardone, Gardu, Kerbes, Scaddi