Gonzalo's Milk Thistle (Silybum ×gonzaloi)

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Silybum ×gonzaloi: Hybrid Milk Thistle Profile

Forming spontaneously in regions where its parent populations meet, Silybum ×gonzaloi displays intermediate morphological traits.

This nothospecies is the result of cross-pollination between Silybum eburneum and Silybum marianum. It is primarily documented in areas where the geographical ranges of the two parents overlap, offering valuable insights into hybrid speciation within the aster family.

Taxonomy

∟ царство Plantae
∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
∟ Angiosperms
∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
∟ eudicots
∟ asterids
∟ order Asterales
∟ family Asteraceae
∟ genus Silybum (Milk thistle)
∟ species Silybum ×gonzaloi (Gonzalo's Milk Thistle)

Morphology

The morphology of Silybum ×gonzaloi combines elements of both parent plants in its vegetative and floral structures. It forms large rosettes of glossy, lobed leaves characterized by prominent white veins. The margins are armed with sharp, pale spines, reflecting the heavy armature of Silybum eburneum and the broad leaves of Silybum marianum.

Its inflorescences consist of large, globose flower heads surrounded by stout involucral bracts. These bracts terminate in stiff, sharp spines that are less spreading than those of Silybum eburneum but more robust than those of Silybum marianum. The tubular flowers exhibit a deep pinkish-purple hue.

Flowering season

Spring to early summer

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Name

Dec

Applications

This hybrid is not utilized in commercial agriculture or horticulture due to its wild nature and hybrid status. However, it holds significant value in botanical research, particularly in the study of hybridization events and genetic flow between thistle species. Its presence in wild populations helps botanists understand the evolutionary dynamics of the genus Silybum.

Interesting facts

The hybrid formula for this plant is officially recorded as Silybum eburneum × Silybum marianum.
It was scientifically described by Cantó, Sánchez Mata, and Rivas Martínez in 2002.
The species name honors the Spanish botanical collector or researcher associated with its discovery.

Geography of distribution

Spain
Algeria
Morocco

Sources

WFO (World Flora Online) - Taxonomic classification of Silybum ×gonzaloi.
IPNI (International Plant Names Index) - Original publication records by Cantó et al. (2002).
POWO (Plants of the World Online) - Hybrid status and parental distribution details.