Citation: Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat. 40:188 (1826).

Synonymy: Cnicus acarna L., Sp. Pl. edn 2:1158 (1763); Cirsium acarna (L.)Moench, Suppl. Meth. 226 (1802). , Carduus acarna

Common name: Soldier thistle.

Description:
Annual herb to 75 cm high, glaucous with yellow spines; stems densely branched, erect, prominently winged, cobwebby, becoming woody below; basal leaves oblanceolate, to 30 cm long, dentate with spiny margins, soon withering; canline leaves lanceolate, decurrent, pinnatifid with remote spine-tipped lobes, 3.5-10 cm long, 0.5-20 mm wide, cobwebby, prominently veined.

Capitula solitary or in groups of 2-4, 2.3-3.5 cm long, to 1.5 cm diam.; involucral bracts narrowly lanceolate to linear, cobwebby, the outer ones with branched spiny appendages to 7 mm long.

Achenes 4-6 mm long, brown, shiny; pappus white, 14-19 mm long.

Published illustration: Parsons (1973) Noxious weeds of Victoria, p. 64.

Distribution:  In pastures and roadsides. S.Aust.: FR, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   Vic.   Native to the Mediterranean region and south-western Asia. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Dec. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Of minor importance as a weed.

Author: Not yet available