Musk Thistle is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in chalky grassland and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 150cm.
The Musk Thistle takes its name from the musky smell of its leaves. Musk Thistle is distinguished from other thistles by its spiky green, wide flowerheads with fairly short purple ray petals extending unsplayed to form a flat top. Another identifying characteristic is that the heavy flowerheads of Musk Thistle have a tendency to droop, hence the alternative common name of Nodding Thistle.
Botanic classification and naming: Musk Thistle is a member of the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The genus name
'Carduus' identifies the plant as a Plumeless Thistle and its species name 'nutans' means 'nodding plant'.
Benefits: The seeds of the Musk Thistle provide a food source for birds.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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