{"assessment":{"band":"Harmful","fit_score":null,"harm":null,"harm_source":"https://ncwildflower.org/invasive-exotic-species-list/","invasive_evidence":[{"category":"Overall ranking 2 (scattered and localized infestations)","listed":true,"rank":2,"scientific_name":"Carduus nutans","state":"AL","url":"https://www.se-eppc.org/alabama/2012-updatedALIPCinvasiveplantlist.pdf"}],"native_basis":"not_native","rarity_adjustment":null,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Listed invasive in Alabama; do not plant. Uses the shared species harm profile established from NC evidence; not a state agency severity rating.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Alabama percentile","score":-15,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":true,"invasive_rank":"A","native":false,"state_rank":"SNA"},"severity_basis":"shared_rank","severity_mapping":"Existing shared species harm profile from NC source","status":"scored_invasive","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:6ce6a4baa25d229e0fd9d42630409b45bb7783df27e42bb4224f36a47a447769","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:dd4a3b32387b35a9d86f36a0eec6428ad07a0b28b7a7092d1a699f4430727070","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":null,"invasive_status":{"status":"listed"},"native_status":{"status":"not_native"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":["01007","01009","01015","01017","01041","01049","01055","01071","01081","01083","01089","01091","01095","01101","01103","01121","01123","01125"],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":["01007","01009","01015","01017","01041","01049","01055","01071","01081","01083","01089","01091","01095","01101","01103","01121","01123","01125"],"growth_habit":null,"growth_habit_source":null,"invasive":true,"invasive_evidence":[{"category":"Overall ranking 2 (scattered and localized infestations)","listed":true,"rank":2,"scientific_name":"Carduus nutans","state":"AL","url":"https://www.se-eppc.org/alabama/2012-updatedALIPCinvasiveplantlist.pdf"}],"invasive_rank":2,"native":false,"native_basis":"state_source","native_decided_by":"al_atlas","native_evidence":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"N","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/613"},{"claim":"introduced","scope":"AL","source":"al_invasive","url":"https://www.se-eppc.org/alabama/2012-updatedALIPCinvasiveplantlist.pdf"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"CAN:I L48:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Native of Eurasia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","text":"Native of Eurasia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midsouthfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.161470/Carduus_nutans"}],"native_explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley).","native_provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"native_status":"not_native","package_native_status":"not_native","source_ids":["al_atlas:AL:613"],"source_name":"Carduus nutans","source_refs":["al_atlas","al_invasive","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/613","state_rank":"SNA"},"source_refs":["al_atlas","al_invasive","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/613","state_rank":{"value":"SNA"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Harmful","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:6ce6a4baa25d229e0fd9d42630409b45bb7783df27e42bb4224f36a47a447769","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_light_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:dd4a3b32387b35a9d86f36a0eec6428ad07a0b28b7a7092d1a699f4430727070","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["01007","01009","01015","01017","01041","01049","01055","01071","01081","01083","01089","01091","01095","01101","01103","01121","01123","01125","13059","13147","21005","21009","21037","21041","21047","21049","21053","21065","21067","21069","21073","21077","21079","21089","21103","21105","21111","21117","21123","21135","21141","21151","21155","21157","21167","21171","21173","21177","21179","21185","21191","21195","21197","21203","21205","21209","21211","21221","21223","21227","45001","45003","45037","45059","45063","45071","45083","45087","47005","47007","47013","47015","47017","47031","47037","47041","47045","47049","47051","47055","47059","47061","47063","47065","47075","47077","47083","47087","47089","47093","47105","47111","47115","47119","47125","47141","47149","47153","47155","47157","47159","47161","47163","47165","47171","47175","47179","47185","47187","47189","51003","51011","51013","51015","51019","51021","51029","51033","51037","51041","51043","51047","51049","51057","51059","51061","51063","51065","51067","51069","51071","51073","51075","51083","51085","51087","51089","51095","51097","51101","51107","51109","51111","51119","51121","51125","51135","51137","51139","51143","51145","51147","51149","51153","51155","51159","51161","51165","51171","51177","51179","51187","51193","51197","51199","51550","51650","51710","51800","51810"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"invasive_rank":true,"native_eligible":false,"quercus_score":-15,"state":"AL"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Carduus nutans","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Carduus nutans","source_record_id":5833,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Native of Eurasia."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Late May-Nov."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= Ar, C, F, FNA19, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Oh3, Ok, Pa, RAB, SE1, Tat, Tn, Va, W; > Carduus macrocephalus Desfontaines — POWO; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. leiophyllus (Petrovic) Stoj. & Stef. — Can, GrPl, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. macrocephalus (Desf.) Nyman — GrPl, NcTx, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. macrolepis (Peterm.) Kazmi — K1, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. nutans — Can, NS, POWO]"},{"field":"botanical_comments","source_column":"Comments","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"C. nutans in its native range in Eurasia consists of a complex of taxa variously treated at specific, subspecific, and varietal rank; the application of these taxa to North American material is problematic and unresolved (see Keil 2006e in FNA for discussion)."},{"field":"heliophily_index","source_column":"HIndex","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":9},{"field":"regional_wetland_indicators","source_column":"WetlandStatus1..5","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"FACU"}]},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr08","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_pd,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr10":"to","Attr11":"dk","Attr13":"pi,pur","Attr14":"bris","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_nc_mt:n,native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 5-12","Attr5":"pu","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n,y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"lc"}},{"field":"bloom_season","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5833,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Late May to November"}],"values":{"bloom_season":"Late May to November","botanical_comments":"C. nutans in its native range in Eurasia consists of a complex of taxa variously treated at specific, subspecific, and varietal rank; the application of these taxa to North American material is problematic and unresolved (see Keil 2006e in FNA for discussion).","geographic_range_description":"Native of Eurasia.","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr08","Attr1":"nc_cp,nc_mt,nc_pd,sc_cp,sc_pd,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr10":"to","Attr11":"dk","Attr13":"pi,pur","Attr14":"bris","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr3":"Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_nc_mt:n,native_nc_pd:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 5-12","Attr5":"pu","Attr6":"n","Attr7":"n,y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"lc"},"habitat_description":"Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas.","habitat_light_categories":["Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"heliophily_index":9,"phenology_source_text":"Late May-Nov.","regional_wetland_indicators":[{"source_column":"WetlandStatus1","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus2","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus3","value":"FACU"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus4","value":"UPL"},{"source_column":"WetlandStatus5","value":"FACU"}],"taxonomic_synonymy":"[= Ar, C, F, FNA19, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Oh3, Ok, Pa, RAB, SE1, Tat, Tn, Va, W; > Carduus macrocephalus Desfontaines — POWO; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. leiophyllus (Petrovic) Stoj. & Stef. — Can, GrPl, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. macrocephalus (Desf.) Nyman — GrPl, NcTx, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. macrolepis (Peterm.) Kazmi — K1, NS; > Carduus nutans L. ssp. nutans — Can, NS, POWO]"}},"forest_service":{"identity_basis":"Exact existing catalog or state-source name","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:42:29.297754+00:00","scope":"Source botanical description; original units and scope retained","scoring_allowed":false,"source_label":"Fire Effects Information System: Carduus nutans","source_sha256":"bfb2dc02033da9e9661ba87966a971f74ece682e926e1a5974dc373447ea7f3d","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/carnut","trait_evidence":[{"catalog_id":"nc:carduus-nutans","field":"height_description","height_description":"2 to 6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall","life_stage":"general_botanical_description","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","paragraph_sha256":"ae42e84077e5199c6d08ea7f7ac0b35d8d7d63c50be4e951a35b000e4db7c4e4","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:42:29.297754+00:00","review_status":"reviewed","source_quote":"Musk thistle may have 1 to 7 branched stems that grow 2 to 6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall. Stem leaves are 3 to 6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) long and spiny. Stems have spiny wings their full lengths except for a few inches below flowerheads. Flowerheads are large, 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8-7.6 cm) in diameter, solitary, and terminal on shoots. Flowers are subtended by numerous large, lance-shaped, spine-tipped bracts that resemble a pinecone. The fruit is an achene bearing 0.3-0.5 cm seeds with a hair-like pappus [11,22,92].","source_section":"Carduus nutans, musk thistle / Botanical Description","source_sha256":"bfb2dc02033da9e9661ba87966a971f74ece682e926e1a5974dc373447ea7f3d","source_title":"Fire Effects Information System: Carduus nutans","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/carnut"}],"values":{"height_description":"2 to 6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall"}},"minnesota_wildflowers":{"matched_name":"Carduus nutans","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:32:09.499307+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Minnesota Wildflowers","source_sha256":"a50ce21623ab7565a0e4d8b533955ea0376b0a52747b271ac4bf1a4fb299f6fe","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/nodding-thistle","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Carduus nutans","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:c51df1a16270c46c767d2c63f6391ae5ed91f8c6dea6da5c37ca7bcd25506691","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:32:09.499307+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"minnesota","source_name":"Carduus nutans","source_sha256":"a50ce21623ab7565a0e4d8b533955ea0376b0a52747b271ac4bf1a4fb299f6fe","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/nodding-thistle","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:2cd3e921-bc4f-5466-9d45-3ab75b9cdc71","value":["biennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Carduus nutans","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:e01d0548eb41b220b776bb6a762660e683d9991bbaa7c69a694ad9cb7b4cb8d3","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:32:09.499307+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"minnesota","source_name":"Carduus nutans","source_sha256":"a50ce21623ab7565a0e4d8b533955ea0376b0a52747b271ac4bf1a4fb299f6fe","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/nodding-thistle","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:2cd3e921-bc4f-5466-9d45-3ab75b9cdc71","value":{"max":7,"min":2,"unit":"feet"}}],"values":{"height_description":"2–7 feet","life_cycle":["biennial"]}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"introduced","flag":"N","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/613"},{"claim":"introduced","scope":"AL","source":"al_invasive","url":"https://www.se-eppc.org/alabama/2012-updatedALIPCinvasiveplantlist.pdf"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"CAN:I L48:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"NC-SC-GA","source":"floraquest_carolinas_georgia","text":"Native of Eurasia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide"},{"basis":"range text names a native range outside North America","claim":"introduced","scope":"AL-MS-TN","source":"floraquest_south_central","text":"Native of Eurasia.","url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.midsouthfieldguide"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Carduus nutans","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNA","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.161470/Carduus_nutans"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"al_atlas","explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (GA-NC-SC), not this state: FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Weakley).","label":"Not native to Alabama","provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"not_native"},"source_name":"Carduus nutans","taxon_id":"taxon:2cd3e921-bc4f-5466-9d45-3ab75b9cdc71","revision":"publish:903368a2-17ec-496c-89d2-a217f30d9dda","photos":[{"id":"inat-477369835","src":"/api/photos/image/e1740a5018f2d46fc789267750fa0357cfe532899d46fcd45fe4e1d1b397d75f.jpeg","view":"bloom","alt":"Carduus nutans — flower photograph","width":500,"height":375,"artist":"(c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/477369835","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding.","kind":"photo"}]}