Scolymus sp.
Goldenthistle, Goldenthistle
(c) Michael Andresek, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael Andresek · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Scolymus sp. (Goldenthistle) is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Scolymus sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Scolymus sp. belong to?
Scolymus sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Scolymus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.