(Woolly) distaff thistle, downy safflower, saffron thistle
Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 4-6 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing, rarely suddenly cut off (truncate), in cross-section flattened or angular (prismatic), basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface light brown or straw, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs absent.
Pappus type wide flat bristles / hairs or long slender scales, pappus clearly differentiated into elements of different lengths, up to 6.5-11 mm long, in several rows, pappus elements numerous, persistent, the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate), +/- equal width along length, brown.
Annual herb, seeds wind-dispersed. Mediterranean to warm-temperate regions. Weed of pastures, in particular if they are overgrazed or have relatively open vegetation cover, or of grain crops. Wool contaminant.
Mediterranean, western Asia
United States, Chile, Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand