BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
213 
THE BROWN KNAPWEED. (C. Jacea, Lin.) 
This is a very handsome species, with purple flowers, the florets of which are spreading instead of being 
compressed so as to form a close head. It is a very local species, being only found in Sussex, and in one or two 
places in Scotland and Ireland. The plant is a perennial, and it flowers in August and September. 
THE GREATER KNAPWEED. (C. Scabiosa, Lin.) 
This species is tolerably common throughout the kingdom, but it is most abundant in chalky soils. The 
flowers are large and purple, closely resembling those of C. Jacea. The plant is a perennial, and it flowers in 
July and August. 
* * Scales of involucrum palmate or pinnate, and spinous. 
THE JERSEY STAR-THISTLE. (C. Isnardi, Lin.) 
This plant is only found in Jersey. It is a perennial of no beauty, which produces its pale purple flowers 
in July and August. 
THE COMMON STAR-THISTLE. (C. Calcitrapa, Lin.) 
This species has pinkish flowers, and long spines to the involucre, disposed so as to form a star. It is found 
in various parts of England, but principally on the road-sides in the middle and southern counties. It is an 
annual, and flowers from July till September. 
ST. BARNABY’S THISTLE. (C. solstitialis, Lin.) 
This species has yellow flowers, which generally appear about St. Barnaby’s day, and hence the name. The 
plant is an annual, and as it is only found in the southern and eastern counties of England, it is supposed to be 
an importation from the Continent. 
GENUS XXXIII. 
THE THISTLE. (Carduus, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA JEQUALIS. 
Generic Character.— Involucrum imbricated ; scales simple, spiny at tbe points. Receptacle paleaceous ; the palese split into numerous 
linear bristles. Pappus deciduous, hairy; the hairs collected into a ring at the base. (Dec.) 
Description, &c. —This genus formerly included all the Thistles, but it is now confined to very narrow 
limits, only containing three or four British species. The name of Carduus signifies a point, in allusion to the 
sharp points found on the involucre of most of the species. 
1—THE MUSK THISTLE. 
Engravings.—E ng. Bot., t. 1112; 2nd ed., t. 1111; and our 
fig. 6, in PI. 42. 
Specific Character. — Leaves interruptedly decurrent, spinous. 
(Carduus nutans, Lin .) 
Heads solitary, drooping. Scales of involucrum lanceolate ; 
upper part spreading. ( Lind ley.) 
their 
Description, &c. —This is one of the commonest of the Thistles, as it is found on waste ground in every 
part of the kingdom, but most abundantly in chalky soils. The stem grows two or three feet high, and the 
flowers, which are produced in great abundance, have a powerful scent of musk in the evening. The plant is 
either an annual or a biennial, and it flowers in July and August. 
