Spotted Milk Thistle (Silybum maculatum)

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Silybum maculatum - Botanical Classification and Data

Identified in historical flora records of the Mediterranean, Silybum maculatum exists as a named species within the milk thistle lineage. This classification serves to distinguish it within taxonomic databases documenting regional plant diversity. Its characteristics align with the typical annual or biennial growth patterns of the genus.

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 maculatum (Spotted Milk Thistle)

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Morphology

The most striking feature of Silybum maculatum is its shiny, leathery leaves with white variegation. The plant exhibits the following typical structural features:

  • The leaf margins have sharp, pointed spines.
  • The sturdy stem grows erect and branches in the upper region.
  • The leaf blades are relatively broad and strikingly patterned.

The spherical flower heads consist exclusively of intensely colored purple tubular florets. The inflorescence is surrounded by broad, spiny involucral bracts with recurved tips. The fruits are smooth achenes bearing a crown of bristles at the apex.

Interesting facts

The botanical specific epithet maculatum is derived from the Latin word for spotted or patterned. Conrad Moench described the species in his work Methodus to systematically document the flora in the Marburg area. Despite its status as a synonym, the name remains of great historical importance in old herbals and archives.

Geography of distribution

  • Germany
  • Österreich
  • Schweiz
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain

Sources

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also