Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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} ({C. vulgaris}), found
   in Europe and Asia.

Source : WordNet®

carline thistle
     n : a thistle of the genus Carlina