cottonthistle
onopordum latin

Onopordum illyricum is a species of thistle known by the common name Illyrian thistle, or Illyrian cottonthistle.

Temperature and moisture, rather than soil nutrient concentrations determine the ecological performance of Onopordum species.

It is used as an agent of biological pest control against Onopordum thistles in Australia.

In Australia it commonly hybridises with the related invasive Onopordum illyricum.

Distribution of thistles of the genus Onopordum in Australia.

Birds are partial to the introduced Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium).

Onopordum acanthium reproduces only by seeds.

It was introduced in Australia to control scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium, an invasive weed.

Onopordum acanthophorum Gand.

Onopordum alexandrinum Boiss.

Onopordum armenum Grossh.

Onopordum candidum Nab.

Onopordum corymbosum Willk.

Onopordum dissectum Murb.

Onopordum jordanicolum Eig.

Onopordum laconicum Heldr.

Onopordum macracanthum Schousb.

Onopordum seravschanicum Tamamsch.

Onopordum sirsangense Rech.

Onopordum acanthium subsp.

These differ from other thistle genera (Carduus, Silybum and Onopordum) in having feathered hairs to their achenes.

Onopordum acanthium (Cotton thistle, Scotch thistle), is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.

Onopordum x erectum, a thistle natural hybrid between Onopordum nervosum ssp.

Onopordum illyricum is a species of thistle known by the common name Illyrian thistle, or Illyrian cottonthistle.

Onopordum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora onopordiella (feeds exclusively on O. acanthium).

These thistles are not considered edible, unlike Cirsium, Arctium and Onopordum species; the leaves are considered unpalatable if not bitter.