Stemless Carline Thistle

Carlina acaulis

Physical Characteristics

Carlina acaulis is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Root Stem Edible Uses: Flowering head - cooked. Used as a globe artichoke substitute[177, 183], though they are considerably smaller and even more fiddly[K]. The fleshy centre of the plant is edible[7, 105]. Does this refer to the peeled stem?[K]. Root[13]. No more details are given.

Medicinal Uses

Antispasmodic Carminative Diaphoretic Digestive Diuretic Eczema Emetic Febrifuge Purgative Stemless carline thistle is seldom used in modern herbalism. The plant was at one time in great demand as an aphrodisiac, it is occasionally used nowadays in the treatment of spasms of the digestive tract, gall bladder and liver disorders, dropsy, urine retention etc. The root has also been used in treating a range of skin complaints such as acne and eczema. A decoction of the root can be used externally to cleanse wounds or as an antiseptic gargle. Some caution should be employed since in large doses the root is purgative and emetic. The root is antibiotic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, mildly diuretic, emetic in large doses, febrifuge and purgative in large doses. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

Known Hazards

None known