Milk thistle, Holy thistle
Silybum marianum

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is stout and erect. It grows 1-3 m tall. The leaves are shiny and green. They have a white mottle or marks on the upper surface. The lower leaves grow out from the main stem in a ring. The upper leaves clasp the stem. They are 10-50 cm long by 5-25 cm wide. They have rounded wings. The flower heads are reddish-purple. They are at the top of the plant. They have broad ridged bracts around them. These end in spines. The seedling leaves are free of spines.

There are 2 Silybum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It usually grows on volcanic or alluvial soils rich in nitrogen. It grows in damp areas. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows between sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Croatia, Egypt, Europe, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The prickles must be removed then the leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. They are used in stews. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. Young stems are peeled, boiled and eaten. The bases of the flower heads can be eaten. The roots can be cooked and eaten. They are used as famine food after boiling in water. The seeds contain an edible fatty oil. They can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. CAUTION: In fertile soils plants can contain high nitrate levels which are poisonous.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Stems, leaves, roots, flower buds, oil, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Blessed Thistle, Bouzerwal, Cardenchas, Cardo asnal, Cardo blanco, Cardo borriquero, Cardo lechero, Cardo mariano, Cardu marianu, Caw baze, Chawbaza, Chouka hmar, Çıtırgan, Deve dikeni, Devedikeni, Gardu, Ghalqan, Kaluxhan, Kangal, Kenger, Khurfaish jimal, Kocabas, Pegasti badelj, Sarıkız, Sjekavica, Spotted thistle, Tawra, Variegated Thistle

Synonyms

Carduus marianus L.;