botany: A genus of the polygamia æqualis order, belonging to the syngenesia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositae. The calyx is ovate, imbricated with prickly scales, and the receptacle hairy. Of this genus there are 26 species, ten of which are natives of Britain, and being troublesome weeds require no description. Some few of the exotic kinds are propagated in gardens for the sake of variety; but even these have neither beauty nor any other property to recommend them.

Carduus Benedictus. See Cnicus.