Plectocephalus is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Cardueae within the family Asteraceae, it contains seven described species mostly found in Americas and one in Africa.

1. Species

2. Plectocephalus americanus (Nutt.) D.Don - Mexico (Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León), United States (AZ NM TX LA AR MS KS MO IL WI SC NY)

3. Plectocephalus cachinalensis (Phil.) N.Garcia & Susanna - Atacama Region in Chile

4. Plectocephalus chilensis G.Don ex Loudon - Chile

5. Plectocephalus floccosus (Hook. & Arn.) N.Garcia & Susanna - Chile (Coquimbo + Valparaíso)

6. Plectocephalus rothrockii (Greenm.) D.J.N.Hind - Mexico (from Chihuahua to Chiapas), United States (AZ NM)

7. Plectocephalus tweediei (Hook. & Arn.) N.Garcia & Susanna - Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay (Guairá), Uruguay, Argentina (Buenos Aires, Chaco, Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa)

8. Plectocephalus varians (A.Rich.) - Ethiopia

9. Formerly included

Plectocephalus dracaenoides (Johow) F.H.Hellw. - Centaurodendron dracaenoides Johow

References