Stemless Carline Thistle, Silver thistle
Carlina acaulis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb that has a 2 year life-cycle or can keep growing for a few years. It is a thistle. It grows 10 cm high and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is erect and unbranched. The leaves are in a ring at the base. They are deeply lobed along the stalk and are spiny. The flowers are star shaped and silvery white. They are 13 cm across. They occur singly at the top of the plant.
There are about 20-28 Carlina species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in poor pastures on limestone soils. It is often in stony and rocky places. It is resistant to drought and frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Czech Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), Italy, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland
How it is used for food
The flower receptacle is boiled and eaten like artichoke. They are used in salads, boiled or in jam. The leaves are used to curdle milk.
Edible parts
Flowers, root, stem
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Babakalacs, Babakonty, Cardo di S. Pellegrino, Chardousso, Kontybaba, Navadna bodeča neža, Nine, Pupava bezlodyzna, Scarzoni, Vilino sito