Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans L.) also known as: Nodding Thistle or Nodding Plumeless Thistle Division - Magnoliaphyta Class - Magnoliopsida Subclass - Asteridae Order - Asterales Family - Asteraceae Genus - Cardus This is technically not a true thistle (Cirisium) but a member of the Asteraceae family. The main plant picured here is slightly taller than I am. It is an absolutely beautiful, though quite painful, plant. Musk thistle seeds can create a beautiful mess. Weeds Taxonomic List List by Scientific Name List by Common Name