Home / Guides / Plant Files / Asteraceae

Italian Plumeless Thistle

Carduuspycnocephalus

Upload Image Print Article
Carduus pycnocephalus by kennedyh
Upload Image Print Article
Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Carduus (KARD-yoo-us)
Info
Species
pycnocephalus (pik-no-SEF-ah-lus)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pink
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Biennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
View this plant in a garden
0 members have or want this plant for trade

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

Post Comment
1
positive
0
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Post Comment
Sort By:
P
P
pleb
(Zone 9a) | August 2003 | positive

Plymouth Thistle is another name for this plant. Although native to southern Europe and north Africa, it can still be found growing on Pl...Read More

Popular Plants
SEE ALL
Iris
Peppers
Hydrangeas
Hostas
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Assassin Bug
(Zelus longipes)
BIRD FILES
Forest Kingfisher
(Todiramphus macleayii)
Quick Links
View All Families
View All Genera
View All Species
Freeze/Frost Dates
PlantFiles FAQ
Plants with no Photos
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Assassin Bug
(Zelus longipes)
BIRD FILES
Forest Kingfisher
(Todiramphus macleayii)