| Genus | Cirsium |
|---|---|
| Species | erisithales |
| Authority | (Jacq.) Scop. |
Cirsium erisithales, the yellow thistle[1] or yellow melancholy thistle, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the tribe Cardueae within the family Asteraceae.[2]
Description
Cirsium erisithales can reach a height of 50–150 centimetres (20–59 in). The stems are erect, almost hairless. This plant has just a few leaves, with tooth-shaped lobes. Flower heads are lemon yellow, solitary or in groups (up to 5), with a diameter of 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.18 in).[3]
Distribution
This species is widespread in southern and eastern Europe, though nowhere very common. It is present in the mountains of France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, the Balkans, Greece, southern Russia, etc.[4]
Habitat
Cirsium erisithales grows in fresh wood (beech), rocky slopes, meadows and waters edge. It prefers calcareous or volcanic soils, at an elevation of 400–2,000 metres (1,300–6,600 ft) above sea level.[5]
References
- ^
- ^ Tropicos,Cirsium erisithales
- ^ Biolib taxon profile
- ^ Altervista Flora Italiana, Cardo zampa d'orso, yellow thistle, Cirsium erisithales (Jacq.) Scop. includes photos and European distribution map
- ^ Pignatti 1982, Flora d'Italia. Volume 3, Bologna, Edagricole, 1982, pag. 161
External links
- Tela botanica in French with photos
- Acta Plantarum in Italian with photos