Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens
Photo: parent species Cynara cardunculus · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by 1 sympatric subspecies - differentiated by spine length and bushy growth habit.
Cardoon is a naturalized perennial found in northern California coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, central western California, and southwestern California in disturbed places at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers in large, spiny heads with needle-like spines 1 to 3 centimeters long. Growing with robust, bushy stems 80 to 200 centimeters tall, it forms an expansive and imposing botanical presence. Its large leaves are deeply lobed and tipped with sharp, distinctive needle-like spines that provide a striking defensive mechanism. The plant's substantial size and spiny structure make it a dramatic and easily recognizable species in disturbed landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric subspecies - differentiated by spine length and bushy growth habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Shasta, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey
Outside California: native to southern Europe
Bloom period
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Cirsium: Cynara heads are massive (4-15 cm) with fleshy bases; Cirsium heads are smaller (1-6 cm) without fleshy tissue.; vs Silybum: Cynara has huge artichoke-like heads on short stalks; Silybum has white-marbled leaves and heads on long individual stalks.; vs Stephanomeria: Cynara has massive thistle heads with spine-tipped bracts; Stephanomeria has small dandelion-like flowers with smooth bracts.; vs Heracleum: Cynara is a thistle in Asteraceae with spiny leaves; Heracleum is in Apiaceae with umbrella-shaped white flower clusters.; vs Dipsacus: Cynara has broad overlapping bracts; Dipsacus has a cylindrical spiny head with stiff bracts protruding outward.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens native to California?
No. Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens bloom?
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens grow?
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens occurs in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Shasta, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens belong to?
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Cynara.
What habitat does Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens grow in?
Cynara cardunculus subsp. flavescens grows in Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.