Carlina corymbosa L. subsp. corymbosa

Spice

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Carlina

Catalan common name: Card cigrell. Card negre.

Spanish common name: Cardo cuco. Cardo de cabeza de pollo.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Fields and road sides.

Characteristics: The white thistle has yellow flowers; it is one of the few thistles with flowers this colour, as the other species have purple ones. The leaves are well armed with thistles along the margin. The plant is perennial and has a surprisingly thick, deep trunk. It colonises meadows where it can become abundant.