- thistle
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—thistlelike, adj./this"euhl/, n.1. any of various prickly, composite plants having showy, purple flower heads, esp. of the genera Cirsium, Carduus, or Onopordum.2. any of various other prickly plants.[bef. 900; ME thistel, OE; c. D distel, G Distel, ON thistill]
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Weedy species of Cirsium, Carduus, Echinops, Sonchus, and other plant genera of the composite family.The term usually refers to prickly leaved species of Carduus and Cirsium, which have dense heads of small, usually pink or purple flowers. Because they have spiny stems and flower heads without ray flowers, Carduus species are called plumeless thistles. Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is an attractive but troublesome weed in agricultural areas of North America. The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. 243* * *
▪ plantweedy species of Cirsium, Carduus, Echinops, Sonchus, and other plant genera of the family Asteraceae. The word thistle most often refers to prickly leaved species of Carduus and Cirsium, which have dense heads of small, usually pink or purple flowers. Plants of the genus Carduus, sometimes called plumeless thistles, have spiny stems and flower heads without ray flowers. Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a troublesome weed in agricultural areas of North America, and more than 10 species of sow thistle (Sonchus) are widespread throughout Europe. Some species of globe thistle (Echinops; see photograph—>) are cultivated as ornamentals. The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
