C. cardunculus is an erect perennial herb that can grow between 60 and 150 cm, but has been known to grow as tall as 2 m with a spread of 2 m (Weeds of Australia, 2016;Elzebroek and Wind, 2008). It has a large taproot that regenerates each year (Kelly and Pepper, 1996). The root can grow to the depth of 2 m (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). The stems are thick and rigid, which often branch in the upper parts, they are longitudinally ribbed and covered in a cotton down. The above-ground portion of the plant dies down each year, but off-shoots rise from the rootstock next growing season (Elzebroek and Wind, 2008).
Related invasive species
- Cynara cardunculus
Related Farm Practice
- Activity
- Pastures
- Grazing
- Hosts
- Pests
- Contamination
- Soil
- Light
- Movement
C. cardunculus is an erect perennial herb, commonly known as cardoon or artichoke thistle. Native to southern Europe and North Africa, it has been widely introduced and is recognised as invasive in parts of Australia, the USA, Chile and Argentina. It can form dense monocultures, displacing native vegetation and degrading native plant communities. In California, it is categorized as a Most Invasive Wildland Pest Plant, category A-1, on the Californian Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern. It can aggressively invade and disrupt natural habitats and has been described as a robust invasive plant that exhibits characteristics of the world’s worst weeds.
C. cardunculus is known to be a significant agricultural pest, in particular pastoral activity (Weeds of Australia, 2016). Once established C. cardunculus can become the dominant vegetation in an area by monopolising light, moisture and nutrients from the soil. In Australia it has known to adversely affect pastures, and lucerne, by crop contamination. The prickly nature of the herb deters grazing sheep and cattle (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001). A thick infestation can also limit the movement of livestock (Thomsen et al., 1986).