Carline Thistle
Carlina vulgaris
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Carlina vulgaris is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Poor soils on dry banks and pastures, especially on chalk.
Europe, including Britain, north to 60° N., east to Siberia, Caucasus and W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Flowering head - cooked. Used as a globe artichoke substitute, though they are considerably smaller and even more fiddly.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The roots and leaves are diaphoretic and purgative.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Other
Rating:
The flower heads expand in dry weather and close in moist weather. The dried flowers will continue to do this for a long time and they thus form a basic hygrometer for use in weather forecasting.
Weather forecasting: A few plants that are supposed to help us forecast the weather.
How it is grown
Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil. Prefers an alkaline soil. Prefers a poor soil. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. The presence of this species in a meadow usually indicates a poor sandy soil. This species resents root disturbance, it should be planted into its final position as soon as possible.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in a cold frame in the spring. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 8 weeks at 15°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Biennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist