01 n. Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera Cnicus, Craduus, and Onopordon. The name is often also applied …
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1.
Any one of several prickly composite plants, especially those of the genera Cnicus, Craduus, and Onopordon. The name is often also applied to other prickly plants.(Bot.)
Phrases & compounds
Blessed thistle —
Carduus benedictus, so named because it was formerly considered an antidote to the bite of venomous creatures.
Bull thistle —
Cnicus lanceolatus, the common large thistle of neglected pastures.
Canada thistle —
Cnicus arvensis, a native of Europe, but introduced into the United States from Canada.
Cotton thistle —
Onopordon Acanthium.
Fuller's thistle —
the teasel.
Pine thistle —
Atractylis gummifera, a native of the Mediterranean region. A vicid gum resin flows from the involucre.
Scotch thistle —
either the cotton thistle, or the musk thistle, or the spear thistle; -- all used national emblems of Scotland.
Sow thistle —
Sonchus oleraceus.
Spear thistle —
Same as Bull thistle.
Star thistle —
a species of Centaurea. See Centaurea.
Torch thistle —
a candelabra-shaped plant of the genus Cereus. See Cereus.
Yellow thistle —
Cincus horridulus.
Thistle bird —
the American goldfinch, or yellow-bird (Spinus tristis); -- so called on account of its feeding on the seeds of thistles. See Illust. under Goldfinch.
Thistle butterfly —
a handsomely colored American butterfly (Vanessa cardui) whose larva feeds upon thistles; -- called also painted lady.
Thistle cock —
the corn bunting (Emberiza militaria).
Thistle crown —
a gold coin of England of the reign of James I., worth four shillings.
Thistle finch —
the goldfinch; -- so called from its fondness for thistle seeds.
Thistle funnel —
a funnel having a bulging body and flaring mouth.