Distaff thistle
Carlina gummifera

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A thistle herb.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Europe, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Tunisia

How it is used for food

Caution: It is very toxic. The ashes are boiled and mixed with semolina and butter. The flowers are cooked.

Edible parts

Flowers, the ashes are eaten, caution, poisonous.

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Addad, Cacucciulidda, Masticogna

Synonyms

Acarna gummifera Willd.; Carlina fontanesii DC.; and several others