Cirsium Species Research Articles

Role of phytochemicals isolated from Cirsium japonicum in neurological disorders

Phytochemicals are richest source of medicines since human history. Cirsium japonicum (Asteraceae), along with other members in the genus are a rich source of flavonoids, polyacetylenes, acetylenes, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, sterols, terpenoids and numerous other compounds. Current study aimed to describe an updated review of the literature on the hidden potential of the C. japonicum extracts and its active biological components on neurological disorders. Among various active phytochemicals in C. japonicum includes luteolin, hispidulin, cirsimaritin, acacetin, apigenin, diosmetin, linarin, pectolinarin, and silybin B. Flora of China has been reported around 50 Cirsium species, of which 13 species are reported to be used for treatment of stopping bleedings, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, treating bleeding syndrome and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer disease (AD). In addition, C. japonicum enhances antioxidant and anticancer activities at cellular level. Moreover, antidepressant potential of ethanol extracts of C. japonicum has also been well described are primarily due to positive modulatory impacts on GABAA receptor (GABAAR) complex. The presence of huge number of active ingredients report in multiple plant species altogether in C. japonicum, appealing for extensive studies for indepth examination of mechanisms and ultimately their usage in clinical trials.

Intergeneric hybrid origin of the invasive tetraploid Cirsium vulgare.

The invasive tetraploid Cirsium vulgare hybridizes with both Cirsium and Lophiolepis. Its conflicted position in molecular phylogenies, and its peculiar combination of morphological, anatomical, and genomic features that are alternatively shared with representatives of Cirsium or Lophiolepis, strongly suggest its intergeneric hybrid origin. Genetic relationships of C. vulgare (8 samples) with genus Lophiolepis (11 species) and other representatives of genus Cirsium (12 species) were evaluated using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) and examined using analytical and imaging approaches, such as NeighborNet, Heatmap, and STRUCTURE, to identify nuclear genomes admixture. Estimation of the intensity of spontaneous hybridization within and between Cirsium and Lophiolepis was based on herbarium revisions and published data for all reported hybrids pertinent to taxa currently included in Cirsium or Lophiolepis. The genome of any examined Cirsium species is more similar to C. vulgare than to any Lophiolepis species, and vice versa. The nuclear genome of the tetraploid C. vulgare is composed of two equivalent parts, each attributable either to Lophiolepis or to Cirsium; the organellar RADseq data clustered C. vulgare with the genus Cirsium. Spontaneous hybridization between Cirsium and Lophiolepis is significantly less intensive than within these genera. Our analyses provide compelling evidence that the invasive species C. vulgare has an allotetraploid intergeneric origin, with the maternal parent from Cirsium and the paternal from Lophiolepis. For the purpose of delimiting monophyletic genera, we propose keeping Lophiolepis separate from Cirsium and segregating C. vulgare into the hybridogenous genus Ascalea.

Monitoring Patch Expansion Amends to Evaluate the Effects of Non-Chemical Control on the Creeping Perennial Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. in a Spring Wheat Crop

The creeping perennial weed species Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. occurs in patches. Expanding creeping roots allow these patches to increase their covered area. This characteristic has rarely been addressed when investigating the effects of control options in arable fields. We designed a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) in north-eastern Germany, accounting for existing patch patterns. The experimental setup included an untreated control, a competition treatment (cover crop, CC), two disturbance treatments by mouldboard ploughing (PL), root cutting (RC), and four combined applications (RC + CC, PL + CC, PL + RC, PL + RC + CC). Root cutting was performed by a prototype tillage machine produced by “Kverneland”. Plots were defined by the species growth pattern and mapped by GPS and UAV. The experiment investigates the thistle response variables: “Expansion”, “Density”, “Coverage”, and “Height”. Treatments including disturbance by ploughing (PL, PL + CC, PL + RC, PL + RC + CC) reduced “Density” by the factor 0.15 and “Expansion” by 0.25, while those without ploughing (CC, RC, RC + CC) only reduced “Density” by the factor 0.68 and “Expansion” by 0.71. Adding root cuttings or cover crops did not further increase the reduction effect of ploughing. Treatments with competition by cover crops impacted “Expansion” more clearly than “Density”. When cover crops were combined with root cutting (RC + CC), “Expansion” was almost additively reduced, resulting in a reduction comparable to that of ploughing. The “Height” of the shoots was significantly reduced in four treatments (PL, RC + CC, PL + RC, PL + RC + CC), while “Coverage” did not change significantly. UAV patch monitoring proved to be accurate enough for thistle “Expansion” but not for thistle “Density” within the patch. The results of this study demand innovative research when controlling patch-forming creeping perennial weeds. The need for patches will limit small-scale experimental set ups.

Hybridization may endanger the rare North Apennine endemic Cirsium bertolonii

We examined populations of North Apennine stenoendemics Cirsium bertolonii in the Apuan Alps and Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and found individuals morphologically shifted to co-occurring C. acaulon or C. erisithales. Hybrid status of these intermediates was confirmed by flow cytometry, morphometrics and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). We interpreted these hybrids taxonomically as Cirsium ×sagrense (C. acaulon × C. bertolonii) and C. ×abetonense (C. bertolonii × C. erisithales). Estimated genome size (2C) was 2244 ± 31 Mbp for C. ×sagrense and 2152 ± 99 Mbp for C. ×abetonense. Their genomic GC content was 38.95 ± 0.35% and 38.77 ± 0.26%, respectively. Diploid chromosome number 2n = 34 was counted for C. bertolonii, and the previously reported 2n = 12 needs to be considered erroneous. We found C. bertolonii to be a gynodioecious species (like many other Cirsium species) that is not reproductively isolated by ploidy level or chromosome number from co-occurring congeners. The relatively frequent occurrence of C. ×sagrense in Monte Sagro (locus classicus of C. bertolonii) and the prevalence of C. ×abetonense in Alpe Tre Potenze suggest that hybridization occurs repeatedly in C. bertolonii, as also confirmed by older herbarium specimens. C. ×abetonense produces ripe achenes and F2 hybrids or backcrosses, as some other Cirsium hybrids do. Genetic erosion/swamping via interspecific hybridization can therefore pose a risk to the genetic integrity of C. bertolonii, as it does for some other narrowly endemic high-mountain Cirsium species in Europe.

Distinctive origin and evolution of endemic thistle of Korean volcanic island: Structural organization and phylogenetic relationships with complete chloroplast genome.

Unlike other Cirsium in Korea, Cirsium nipponicum (Island thistle) is distributed only on Ulleung Island, a volcanic island off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, and a unique thistle with none or very small thorns. Although many researchers have questioned the origin and evolution of C. nipponicum, there is not much genomic information to estimate it. We thus assembled the complete chloroplast of C. nipponicum and reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Cirsium. The chloroplast genome was 152,586 bp, encoding 133 genes consisting of 8 rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 88 protein-coding genes. We found 833 polymorphic sites and eight highly variable regions in chloroplast genomes of six Cirsium species by calculating nucleotide diversity, as well as 18 specific variable regions distinguished C. nipponicum from other Cirsium. As a result of phylogenetic analysis, C. nipponicum was closer to C. arvense and C. vulgare than native Cirsium in Korea: C. rhinoceros and C. japonicum. These results indicate that C. nipponicum is likely introduced through the north Eurasian root, not the mainland, and evolved independently in Ulleung Island. This study contributes to further understanding the evolutionary process and the biodiversity conservation of C. nipponicum on Ulleung Island.

The species composition of weeds in sunflower crops in the steppe zone of the Krasnodar Territory

In sunflower crops cultivated in the steppe zone of the Krasnodar Territory, 92 species of weeds were identified. The core of the weed component of agrocenoses consists of 2 especially active species - Amaranthus retrof-lexus L. and Chenopodium album L., 5 highly active species - Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Abu-tilon theophrasti Medik., Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv., Persicaria maculosa S.F. Gray, 2 medium-active species Cir-sium setosum (Willd .) Bess. and Vicia cracca L. and 2 fairly active species Sinapis arvensis L. and Lathyrus tuberosus L. These are the types that should be paid special attention to while developing protective measures. In addition, 22 inactive species and 59 inactive species were identified, the presence of which in sunflower crops is due to a decrease in the level of technology of this crop cultivation. The territorial totality of weeds of the ecotope of segetal habitats is a segetal flora, one of the subdivisions of which is the partial flora of the ecotope under the cultivation of sunflower culture. The species composition of the segetal flora is characterized by stability, therefore it can be predicted for a certain time perspective. The activity of species changes with the change of crops in the crop rotation scheme, which significantly increases the role of phytosanitary monitoring.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and the Biodiscovery Potential of the Genus Cirsium

Medicinal plants are rich in phytochemicals, which have been used as a source of raw material in medicine since ancient times. Presently they are mostly used to treat Henoch–Schonlein purpura, hemoptysis, and bleeding. The manuscript covers the classification, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, herbal formulations, and patents of Cirsium. The main goal of this review is to impart recent information to facilitate future comprehensive research and use of Cirsium for the development of therapeutics. We investigated numerous databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis imprints, and books on ethnopharmacology. The plants of the genus Cirsium of the family Asteraceae contain 350 species across the world. Phytochemical investigations showed that it contains flavonoids, phenols, polyacetylenes, and triterpenoids. The biological potential of this plant is contributed by these secondary metabolites. Cirsium plants are an excellent and harmless agent for the cure of liver diseases; therefore, they might be a good clinical option for the development of therapeutics for hepatic infections. The phytochemical studies of different Cirsium species and their renowned pharmacological activities could be exploited for pharmaceutic product development. Furthermore, studies are required on less known Cirsium species, particularly on the elucidation of the mode of action of their activities.

Biological control of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) revisited: host range of Hadroplontus litura on Cirsium species native to the Upper Midwest, USA

ABSTRACT In 1998, Hadroplontus (formerly Ceutorhynchus) litura, a stem-mining weevil, was introduced into a limited area in Minnesota for the biological control of Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense. Although showing a preference for C. arvense, initial host range testing in the 1960s indicated H. litura attacked other native Cirsium species. Before promoting or augmenting biocontrol with H. litura in Minnesota, we wanted to further define the host range of H. litura on native Cirsium species. Our objective was to determine whether H. litura could feed, oviposit and complete development on Cirsium spp. native to the Upper Midwest of the USA. In no-choice tests, female H. litura accepted all native Cirsium species for oviposition. In addition, H. litura was able to complete development to the adult stage on swamp thistle, Cirsium muticum, field thistle, Cirsium discolour, and tall thistle, Cirsium altissimum, and we confirmed the published host range test results of completed development on Flodman’s thistle, Cirsium flodmanii. These Cirsium species are within the fundamental host range of H. litura. No adults were found in development tests with Hill’s thistle, Cirsium pumilum var. hillii, a threatened or species of concern in the Upper Midwest, or Pitcher’s thistle, Cirsium pitcheri, a federally listed threatened species. Larval tunnelling was documented in C. pitcheri. We recommend that field tests be conducted, where search and host acceptance behaviour can occur under field conditions to further define the ecological host range of H. litura.

Cirsiumtaiwanense (Compositae, Cirsiumsect.Onotrophe, subsect. Australicirsium), a new species from Taiwan.

A new species of Cirsium, C.taiwanense Y.H.Tseng & Chih Y.Chang from central-northern Taiwan is reported in this article. This species is similar to C.hosokawae Kitam. in having a densely cobwebby abaxial leaf surface, but differs in its yellow (vs. vivid purplish red) corolla and the angle between the midrib and the lateral veins of the leaf, which is acute as opposed to nearly at a right angle in C.hosokawae. Cirsiumtaiwanense has 2n = 32 chromosomes, which is different from the other species in the Taiwanese subsect. Australicirsium Kitam. (2n = 34). An identification key to the Cirsium taxa of Taiwan is presented.

Antioxidant Effects and Phytochemical Properties of Seven Taiwanese Cirsium Species Extracts.

In the present investigation, we compared the radical-scavenging activities and phenolic contents of seven Taiwanese Cirsium species with a spectrophotometric method. We further analyzed their phytochemical profiles with high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection (HPLC–DAD). We found that the flower part of Cirsium japonicum var. australe (CJF) showed the best radical-scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and the hypochlorite ion, for which the equivalents were 6.44 ± 0.17 mg catechin/g, 54.85 ± 0.66 mmol Trolox/g and 418.69 ± 10.52 mmol Trolox/g respectively. CJF also had the highest contents of total phenolics (5.23 ± 0.20 mg catechin/g) and phenylpropanoids (29.73 ± 0.72 mg verbascoside/g). According to the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, there was a positive correlation between the total phenylpropanoid content and ABTS radical-scavenging activities (r = 0.979). The radical-scavenging activities of the phenylpropanoids are closely related to their reducing power (r = 0.986). HPLC chromatograms obtained in validated HPLC conditions confirm that they have different phytochemical profiles by which they can be distinguished. Only CJF contained silicristin (0.66 ± 0.03 mg/g) and silydianin (9.13 ± 0.30 mg/g). CJF contained the highest contents of apigenin (5.56 ± 0.09 mg/g) and diosmetin (2.82 ± 0.10 mg/g). Among the major constituents, silicristin had the best radical-scavenging activities against DPPH (71.68 ± 0.66 mg catechin/g) and ABTS (3.01 ± 0.01 mmol Trolox/g). However, diosmetin had the best reducing power and radical-scavenging activity against the hypochlorite anion (41.57 ± 1.14 mg mmol Trolox/g). Finally, we found that flavonolignans (especial silicristin and silydianin) and diosmetin acted synergistically in scavenging radicals.

Investigation of therapeutic potential of three endemic Cirsium species for global health problem obesity

Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic disorders causes serious health problems and economic costs globally. Some Cirsium genus has been reported to possess anti-obesity effect and traditional uses for vascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic value of endemic Cirsium species for obesity treatment. C. balikesirense Yıldız, Arabacı & Dirmenci (CB), C. nerimaniae Yıldız, Dirmenci & Arabacı (CN) and C. sommieri Petr. (CS) were selected for the study. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese Sprague Dawley rats were employed for in vivo studies. The extract obtained aerial parts of Cirsium species were applied to rats orally for 8 weeks. To interpret the antiobesity activity, body weight of the rats were measured. Also, biochemical, histopathological and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis were performed on rats. Bioactivity-guided fractionation studies were carried out guidance with in vitro lipase enzyme inhibition. The structures of the pure compounds purified using various chromatographic techniques were determined by spectroscopic methods. Oral administration of the extracts and orlistat decreased in body weights, adipocytes size, levels of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), leptin levels, lipase, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and increased levels of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), adiponectin. According to RT-PCR analysis, the extracts reduced the levels of key transcription factors in adipogenesis and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Bioactivity-guided fractionation studies led to isolation of active compounds as syringin, cimidahurinin, astragalin, afzelin, lupeol, and ψ-taraxasterol. In conclusion, CB, CN, CS and their isolated compounds were uncovered to be hopeful as a candidate for anti-obesity therapeutics.

Review of the Tephritis hyoscyami–conura Group of Species (Diptera: Tephritidae) with Description of a New Species

The fruit flies of the genus Tephritis associated with the host plants of closely related asteraceous plant species of Cirsium and Carduus (Asteraceae: Cardueae: Carduinae) are revised. In particular, six species of this group known to occur in the western part of the Palaearctic Region are discussed in this article. Three of them, Tephritis conura (Loew 1844), T. hendelianaHering 1944, and T. hyoscyami (Linnaeus 1758) are widespread, predominantly European species. Two other ones, T. cardualisHardy 1974 from Pakistan and T. atokopteraAgarwal & Kapoor 1988 from India, were previously known mostly from the original descriptions and are redescribed here. Finally, T. anthraxsp. nov. from Caucasian and Transcaucasia mountains is described. Species are keyed and illustrated. New distribution records and host plants are reported.

Impact of different extraction solvents and techniques on the biological activities of Cirsium yildizianum (Asteraceae: Cynareae)

Several Cirsium species have been used in folk medicine for the management of human ailments. However, there is a paucity of scientific data regarding their biological activity as in the case of the new species, C. yildizianum, from Anatolia, Turkey. The present study endeavours for the first time to appraise the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity of C. yildizianum. The phytochemical profiles of C. yildizianum extracts obtained using homogeniser-assisted extraction (HAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), Soxhlet extraction, maceration, decoction, and infusion, using methanol or water as extraction solvents, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (HPLC–ESI-MSn) analysis. In all extracts, flavonoids were the most abundant compounds, particularly luteolin and apigenin glycosides. HAE methanol extract presented the highest phenolic (37.10 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (46.78 mg rutin equivalent/g) contents. Likewise, HAE-methanol extract showed potent radical scavenging (40.76 and 68.13 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g, for DPPH and ABTS, respectively) and reducing properties (127.62 and 89.95 mg TE/g, for CUPRAC and FRAP, respectively). HAE-methanol extract showed inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (3.57 mg galantamine equivalent [GALAE]/g). UAE-methanol extract was a potent inhibitor of butrylcholinesterase (BChE) (2.72 mg GALAE/g) and tyrosinase (121.06 mg kojic acid equivalent/g) However, poor inhibition was recorded for enzymes targeted in the management of diabetes type II, namely α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the other hand, potent metal chelating property was observed for water extracts. This study provides comprehensive scientific information on the phytochemical profile of C. yildizianum extracted using different procedures and extraction solvents, which might be considered as valuable baseline data for future bioproducts development.

BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF TWO Cirsium SPECIES

In the GC-MS analysis, 81 bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified in the hexane extracts of Cirsium creticum and Cirsium italicum. Terpenoids constituted the main fractions of C. italicum (70.95 %) while hydrocarbons were most abundant compounds of C. creticum (41.11 %). The antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of extracts from two Cirsium species was tested by using microdilution methods. According to the results of antibacterial activity, highest inhibition effect of C. creticum was found on B. subtilis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The highest inhibition effect of C. italicum was found on B. subtilis. In the results of antifungal activity, highest inhibition effect of C. creticum was found on P. chrysogenum and highest inhibition effect of C. italicum was found on C. krusei. The present work is the first report on hexane extracts compounds of two Cirsium species as well as the antibacterial and antifungal activities.

The complete chloroplast genome of Korean endemic species, Cirsium rhinoceros (H.Lév. & vaniot) Nakai (Asteraceae)

Cirsium rhinoceros (H.Lév. & Vaniot) Nakai has been used a traditional medicine. Complete chloroplast genome of C. rhinoceros is 152,576 bp long and has four subregions: 87,262 bp of large single copy (LSC) and 21,486 bp of small single copy (SSC) regions that are separated by 18,742 bp of inverted repeat (IR) regions including 133 genes (88 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNAs, and 37 tRNAs). The overall GC content of this chloroplast genome is 37.7% and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 36.0%, 31.4%, and 43.8%, respectively. Phylogenetic trees show that Cirsium species are clustered along with their distribution.

Hybridization among three Cirsium (Asteraceae) species and important evidence for three new hybrids from Turkey

In this study, three new hybrids from the genus Cirsium are described for the first time. Cirsium ×nezaketiae Yıldız, Dirmenci & Arabacı, C. ×kelkitensis Yıldız, Arabacı & Dirmenci, and C. ×erzincanicum Yıldız, Dirmenci & Arabacı are investigated in detail morphologically, palynologically, and molecularly. The hybrid individuals were detected on field trips due to their intermediate morphological characters. Their morphological properties were analyzed to compare with their parents. The pollen grain morphologies of the hybrids and their allies were investigated using light and a scanning electron microscope. The pollen grains were radially symmetrical, isopolar, trizonocolporate, and with echinate or scabrate sculpturing. The tectum is psilate/punctate, microreticulate, or ornate in sculpture. Dimorphic pollen grains were encountered in C. leucocephalum (Willd.) Spreng. subsp. leucocephalum. Two nuclear DNA regions were used to find single nucleotide polymorphisms. nrITS DNA data gave more information than nrETS data about polymorphism. In conclusion, C. ×nezaketiae, C. ×kelkitensis, and C. ×erzincanicum exhibit some significant morphological, palynological, and molecular differences from their parents and present evidence of potential introgression hybridization. Since the hybrids live in a complex with their parents, and some parents have polymorphic loci like their putative hybrids, it can be presented as evidence for potential introgression since backcrossing may be possible among taxa.

Cirsiumtatakaense (Compositae), a new species from Taiwan.

A new species of Cirsium, Cirsiumtatakaense Y.H.Tseng & C.Y.Chang, from central-southern Taiwan is described and illustrated. This species is similar to C.kawakamii Hayata in leaf shape, achene and chromosome number (2n = 64), but can be readily distinguished from C.kawakamii by the narrower leaf lobes, usually higher number of florets and phyllaries, the purplish-red corolla (vs. white) and larger pollen grains. A key to the species of Cirsium in Taiwan is also presented.

Cypsela morphology of Cirsium species (Asteraceae) and its taxonomic implications

A b s t r a c t The cypsela morphology and anatomy of 15 species of Cirsium were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, with the aim of evaluating cypsela features for use in taxonomic studies. Considerable variation was observed in surface micromorphology and the anatomical characteristics of the pericarp and testa. Cypsela size and thickness of the pericarp and testa were categorized using biometric measurements. Multiple discriminant and cluster analyses were used to compare the morphology of cypselae among species. The distinguishing features were color, shape, size, pericarp and testa thickness, and microsculpture. Five basic surface types were identified: ribbed, scrobiculate-ribbed, scalariform, scrobiculate-reticulate, and irregular sulcate. Diagnostic anatomical traits comprised a few to multiple layers of pericarp overlain by a testa with a highly lignified epidermis and a crushed parenchymatous zone. The pericarp was usually distinct among the species investigated with the exception of C. setidens and C. linare, in which it has layers of crushed tissues. The endosperm was characterized by a single layer of cells overlying a massive embryo. ANOVA test showed significant differences among the investigated taxa (P

Anatomy study of the genus Cirsium Mill. in Iran

The genus Cirsium Mill. (Asteraceae) also known as plume thistles with about 250 perennial, biennial or rarely annual spiny species is a phylogenetically unresolved and paraphyletic genus. Cirsium species grow in different ecological conditions and tend to form interspecific hybrids. Some species are morphologically very similar and need to be delineated by additional anatomical and molecular characters. About 28 Cirsium species have been reported in Flora Iranica; they were classified in five sections. Taxonomic investigation of these species was confined to morphology and molecular study of RAPD and ISSR markers. The present study carried out anatomical investigation (leaf and stem characters) of Cirsium species in the country. PCoA analysis of anatomical characters could delimit the studied species and the grouping obtained was almost in agreement with morphological and sectional delineation of the genus. The results obtained are in agreement with several other investigations and all together suggestive of the continued gene flow and introgression between Cirsium species that make taxonomy and phylogenetic relationship of the species difficult.

Agri‐environment schemes targeting farmland bird populations also provide food for pollinating insects

Abstract Farmland biodiversity has declined over the past few decades. European Common Agricultural Policy encourages farmers to set up agri‐environment schemes (AES) that support biodiversity and associated ecosystem services such as pollination. Although few AES are specifically devoted to pollinating insects, many AES could provide resources for pollinators. In Belgium, AES designed to provide seed resources for wild birds (bird‐strip AES) contain mixed‐plant communities that may benefit insects, although their ability to support pollinators has not yet been evaluated. The present study aimed to assess the ability of bird‐strip AES to support pollinating insects. We identified and quantified floral resources, flower‐visiting insects and insect–flower interaction networks over 2 years on four bird strips located in intensive agro‐ecosystems in Belgium. The bird strips contained plant species that were either purposely sown or established spontaneously. The spontaneous Cirsium species, with its high nectar production, offered floral resources that complemented those of the sown species Raphanus sativus and Phacelia tanacetifolia. Most of the flower‐visiting insects considered as pollinators belonged to the orders Hymenoptera and Diptera. In conclusion, bird‐strip AES provided floral resources to pollinators, even in the absence of annual sowing.