White thistle, Hooker's thistle
Cirsium hookerianum
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It is thistle that keeps growing from year to year. It is a tall sturdy plant and grows 30-90 cm high. The leaves are alternate and narrowly oblong. They can have lobes. They are white and woolly underneath. They are smooth above. They do not have a leaf stalk. They are 10-25 cm long. The flowers are in disks that are white or cream. The bracts are cobwebby, woolly and have spines at the tip. The flower heads can be a few or many. They are 3-4 cm across. The fruit is a dry achene.
There are about 150-250 Cirsium species. They grow in temperate regions.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in woods and open places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The roots can be eaten raw or cooked with meat.
Edible parts
Root, flower stems