Jeweled Distaff Thistle
Carthamus oxyacanthus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Arkadiusz Nowak, Marcin Nobis, Sylwia Nowak, Agnieszka Nobis, Anna Wróbel, Sebastian Świerszcz, Ewelina Klichowska, Iwona Dembicz & Grzegorz Kusza
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Carthamus
- Species:
- Carthamus oxyacanthus
- USDA Symbol:
- CAOX6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at warm temperatures without pretreatment. Direct sowing in spring after frost danger passes.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI