Scolymus (golden thistle or oyster thistle) is a genus of plants in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family, native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe north to northwestern France. Like other related plants also called thistles, they are annual or perennial herbaceous plants with spiny leaves and stems, However, Scolymus is not a true thistle, but rather it is a member of the chicory/dandelion tribe. They grow to 20–90 cm tall, with bright yellow flowerheads.