cynaroides

Cynaroides is a taxonomic name that has appeared in botanical and, more rarely, zoological literature. In botanical contexts, the term has been used to describe plants that resemble Cynara, the genus that includes artichokes and cardoons. However, Cynaroides has never achieved stable circumscription as an accepted genus, and its usage is inconsistent across sources.

Etymology: formed from Cynara + -oides, meaning resembling Cynara.

Taxonomic status: In modern plant nomenclature the name is not listed as an accepted genus in major databases such as IPNI; some older or regional publications treat Cynaroides as a defunct or illegitimate name, or as a synonym of Cynara, but this varies with edition. Because of the lack of a clear type specimen and circumscription, Cynaroides remains a historical footnote rather than a valid taxon.

Other uses: In zoological or miscellaneous sources, the form Cynaroides has appeared rarely and is not recognized as a valid genus in standard catalogs.

See also: Cynara; plant nomenclature; synonyms.