Foto: Stefan Svenaeus
Outslagen knopp Foto: Stefan Svenaeus
Nästan utslagen blomma Foto: Stefan Svenaeus
Utslagen blomma Foto: Stefan Svenaeus
Överblommad vinterståndare Foto: Stefan Svenaeus
Carline Thistle
Scientific name: Carlina vulgaris
Förekomst: Common
Carline Thistle is quite common on calcareous soil from Scania to Uppland, but it can also be rarely found further north. It grows on open dry land in slopes, pastures and elves. It is favored by grazing.
Carline Thistle blooms in July-August. The flower baskets are globose and have tiled hollow scales that are toothed at the edge, the outer hollow scales are herbaceous, while the inner ones are membranous, long and narrow. The flowers are bisexual, tubular, yellow with red or rarely white tips. The baskets are only spread out in sunny weather.
The species name vulgaris comes from the Latin vulgus (hop, general) and means common. The Swedish name comes from the fact that the flower baskets are affected by the humidity so that they are concentrated in moist air while in dry weather they spread out star-like. The Carlina name is, according to Lid (1985), possibly named after Emperor Charles V (1500-1558).
In some areas, Carline Thistle was considered magical If it was carried in the hand it would give strength. If you thought of someone you did not like, he would lose his strength. The root has served as a laxative. It has also been attributed heart-strengthening and antiseptic effect.