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edible thistle

Scientific Name: Cirsium edule

Family: Asteraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Biennial, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Thistles: A Forager's Delight

Thistles, often overlooked as prickly weeds, offer a surprising array of edible parts. From their stalks and leaves to their roots and unopened flower bud bottoms, these plants can be a valuable resource for the knowledgeable forager.

Considerations for Pets

  • Many thistle varieties possess spines, which could pose a risk of injury to pets.

Considerations for Children

  • Thistles often have spines, making them potentially harmful to children if handled carelessly.

Scientific Classification and Nomenclature

  • All thistles belong to the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
  • Examples include:
    • Cirsium edule, commonly known as edible thistle or Indian thistle.
    • Cirsium arvense, known as Canada Thistle or Creeping Thistle.
    • Silybum marianum, known as Milk Thistle.
  • Cirsium edule Nutt. is an alternative scientific name for the edible thistle.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cirsium edule is native to western North America, ranging from southeastern Alaska southwards.
  • Thistles are generally plentiful in the wilderness.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Bull Thistle: Herb, two to five feet high, basal and stem leaves lobed, lower stems leaves can be 4 to 9 inches long.
  • Cirsium edule is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September.

Edible Qualities and Uses

  • Edible parts include stalks, leaves (trimmed of spines), roots, and unopened flower bud bottoms.
  • The thick juicy core of the Bull Thistle has been called "survival celery" because of its texture and refreshing fluids.
  • Young stems of many thistle species are also edible.
  • The seeds can be used for producing oil.
  • Native Americans used to utilize the seeds of edible thistles.
  • Milk thistle has potential as a source of edible sprouts rich in antioxidants.

Quirky Facts

  • The "ball" part of the flowers is a white wooly mass with many spines thus forming attractive pedestals for the several rose-purple flowers.

Further Resources

  • Wild Food School: WildFoodSchool.co.uk
  • Amazon: Buy Thistle Greens and Mistletoe: Edible and Poisonous Plants of Northern California by James S. Wiltens (ISBN: 9780899970905)