Carthamus oxyacanthus

Species category

Weed

Common name

jeweled distaff thistle, wild safflower

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

Length: 4–5 mm
Width: 2–3 mm
Thickness: 1.5–2.5 mm

Color

White with various amounts of black blotches

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is lateral to the base and is long.

Identification notes

ApexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
shoulders are rounded with a small apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
crown.

Noxious weed seed categories

Federal

Learn more on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Carthamus oxyacanthus M. Bieb.

Synonyms

Carthamus oxyacantha M. Bieb., orth. var.

Carthamus oxyacanthus. Achenes with a long hilum that is lateral to the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.	Carthamus oxyacanthus. Achenes with a long hilum that is lateral to the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Carthamus oxyacanthus. White achenes with various amounts of black blotches. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.

SeedImages