Spotted thistle, Spotted golden thistle
Scolymus maculatus
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A hairy annual herb plant. It grows 1.5-2 m high. The leaves and wings of the stem have a thick white margin and veins. The flower heads are golden yellow. They are thistle like. They are 20-30 mm across. The corolla of the flower is brown and hairy in the lower half.
Where it is found
It grows in warm temperate and Mediterranean climates.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Britain, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily,Spain
How it is used for food
The thick root can be prepared the same way as salsify. They are boiled and eaten. The young leaves can be cooked and eaten. They are also used in salads. They can be added to casseroles and omelettes. The young stems can be eaten raw. The spines are removed!
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, vegetable, stems
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cardeune, Guernina, Scuoddo, Sinnariah, Tagarnina, Taghediwt