Synonyms: Carduncellus fruticosus (Maire) Hanelt, Femeniasia fruticosa (Maire) Petit, Phonus fruticosus (Maire) G.López
In Carthamus fruticosus there are two types of leaves: (i) junenile fleshy, with two or three short lobes; (ii) axillary leaves reduced to a central vein strengthened into a simple spine.