Scolymus hispanicus
Common goldenthistle
(c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eleftherios Katsillis · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Scolymus hispanicus (Common goldenthistle) is a non-native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by Scolymus is a small Mediterranean genus representing an isolated lineage within the chicory tribe of Asteraceae.
Common goldenthistle is a naturalized perennial found in southeastern Sacramento Valley, northern Central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in disturbed grassy areas at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers in compact clusters nestled within leaf axils. Growing with stout stems 20 to 220 centimeters tall, it develops rigid stems with prominent spiny leaves. Its basal leaves can reach up to 45 centimeters long, deeply lobed with soft textures and weak spines, while cauline leaves are shorter, oblong to ovate, with strong veining and sharp dentate edges. The fruit is small, club-shaped, and approximately 3 to 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Scolymus is a small Mediterranean genus representing an isolated lineage within the chicory tribe of Asteraceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed grassy areas
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: eastern United States, native to Europe
Bloom period
Scolymus hispanicus blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Carthamus: Scolymus has wide bracts that fall off with individual fruits; Carthamus has regular thistle-like bracts.; vs Sonchus: Scolymus has sharp spines on leaves; Sonchus leaves are prickly-edged but not truly spiny.; vs Centromadia: Scolymus is thistle-like and spiny; Centromadia is a typical tarweed with glandular, non-spiny foliage.; vs Agoseris: Scolymus has spiny stem leaves; Agoseris has smooth basal leaves only.; vs Anisocoma: Scolymus has spiny cauline leaves; Anisocoma has smooth basal leaves only.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scolymus hispanicus native to California?
No. Scolymus hispanicus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Scolymus hispanicus bloom?
Scolymus hispanicus blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Scolymus hispanicus belong to?
Scolymus hispanicus is in the Asteraceae family, genus Scolymus.
Is Scolymus hispanicus invasive in California?
Scolymus hispanicus is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Scolymus hispanicus grow in?
Scolymus hispanicus grows in Uncommon. Disturbed grassy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.