What is "carline thistle"

Carline thistle \Car"line this`tle\ [F. carline, It., Sp., & Pg., carlina. Said to be so called from the Emperor Charlemagne, whose army is reputed to have used it as a remedy for pestilence.] (Bot.) A prickly plant of the genus Carlina ( Carlina vulgaris), found in Europe and Asia.

n. Any of about 30 species of thistles in the genus (taxlink Carlina genus noshow=1).

n. a thistle of the genus Carlina