Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Carduus nutans L.

musk thistle (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadModerate tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

The flower-heads of Carduus nutans are large and usually nodding; the phyllaries are relatively broad, with a slight narrowing at the base.

Nash Point (VC41: Glamorgan); 2014-05-24

 musk thistle / Carduus nutans: The flower-heads of _Carduus nutans_ are large and usually nodding; the phyllaries are relatively broad, with a slight narrowing at the base.

Carduus nutans grows in grasslands over limestone or chalk in England, Wales and a few parts of Scotland and Ireland.

Castleton (VC57: Derbyshire); 2007-08-18

 musk thistle / Carduus nutans: _Carduus nutans_ grows in grasslands over limestone or chalk in England, Wales and a few parts of Scotland and Ireland.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne