By In summary, blessed thistle and milk thistle, although similar sounding, have different herbal properties targeted at helping different areas of the body. . copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. (Eryngium leavenworthii) and American basketflower (Centaurea americana) although To view taxon maps of which Cirsium species are present in your area, you can go to The North American Plant Atlas. Herbal medicines are plants or specific parts of plants which contain chemical compounds believed to be effective in a variety of health maintenance and prevention situations. Cirsium thistles are the most diverse and widespread of North America's native thistles with around 62 species. appear, they should immediately be destroyed by chopping them off below ground or For zero dollars, you can become a citizen scientistinvasive-species-vigilante. Some Cirsium species, such as bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), are invasive and difficult to control in a wide range of habitats. We can provide advice on how to control bull thistle, but there is generally no legal requirement to do so. Xerces Society: Native Thistles: A Conservation Practitioner's Guide, Texas Invasive Species Institute: Russian Thistle, Eat The Planet: Thistle, Nutritious and Beautiful on the Inside, Healthline: 7 Science-Based Benefits of Milk Thistle, California Invasive Plant Council: Plants A to Z, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. counties. In situations where prolactin production is inhibited, the milk supply can become insufficient. The artichoke plant (Cynara cardunculus var. After thistle flowers whither, the ovary swells and produces a mass of silky, feathery seeds that are carried away by the wind. For grassy areas, it is best to use a selective broadleaf herbicide to keep the competitive grasses intact. Bull thistle is distributed statewide, but it is not listed Introduced from Europe, its covered in slender, spear-like spines. A special thanks to OK State for this guide to Oklahoma thistles that helped me get started for this guide to Texas species. You may have heard of the perils of invasive thistle, but did you know that there are many native counterparts? This is part of a talk I gave last week in Marin County. Mothers taking milk thistle to increase milk supply reported weight gain, nausea, dry mouth and irritability occasionally. in the northeastern Oklahoma counties. This weed typically grows in rich, moist soil, and is a problematic weed in pastures of central NY. One of the active ingredients in milk thistle called silymarin is extracted from the plant's seeds. Native American Seed has a great selection of native North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle options. Great for liver cell regeneration. Russian thistles look like what most people would refer to as tumbleweed, with a dome shape and shallow roots that easily break off at ground level, where it can roll for great distances in the wind, spreading seeds along the way. Perhaps youre enjoying the views of your backyard, state park, or hiking trail, and you stumble upon a large purple flower with spiny leaves. When broken, the leaves produce a milky substance. and Cirsium spp. Annual Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) is often found in the American West. Nowadays, many consider it an annoying weed. The best guide to Texas thistles that Ive found so far. The milk thistle is a plant with variegated leaves with milky white veins. Downloading this factsheet will help you identify bull thistle, musk thistle and plumeless thistle, common weeds in pastures and other settings. My neighbor is growing thistles that don't have spine's can you eat them as well. Milk thistle is widely promoted as a liver supplement. Although it is invasive, Milk thistle is ofmedicinal use, and is beneficial to the liver. Even horses will help by picking out many of the nectar-rish flowers and eating them before they go to seed. Blessed thistle is used to stimulate breast milk production, gastric acids, and saliva. One variety, the Scotch thistle, sports purple flowers and prickly leaves and has become the national emblem of Scotland. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a robust and spiny plant that has been in Oklahoma Its reminiscent of your grandmothers shag carpet- only more purple. Another name for blessed thistle is holy thistle. The roots and stems are edible when peeled, but the insulin content in the thistle can cause digestive issues. Its leaves are less pinnately divided than engelmannii, with leaves greatly reduced in size near the top of the plant. They 'learned' how to survive alongside human agriculture early on. Doves love the seeds as well. with narrow spiny bracts beneath the petals. These two weevils have since been collected The first year they start out as low basal rosettes close to the ground. What kind of thistle is this? It received both names from Benedictine monks in the fourteenth century. lobed and tipped with spines. 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Gotcha! Download Article. Where are some reliable places to buy native thistle seeds? It is a slender plant with sparse foliage, up to 6 ft tall on fertile soils. red veins borne in spiny heads. Though the different thistles share similar characteristics, there are ways to identify each individual type. Characteristics & Identification The flowers of thistles are typically shades of pink, lavender and purple, sometimes they're white, and some species have yellow or red flowers. Surprising how hard it is to find out! Herbal medicines have been in use throughout the world for centuries. In addition to promoting lactation, blessed thistle is believed to stimulate appetite and treat diarrhea, indigestion, colds, and flu. This insect will not get rid of the bull thistle, however, just reduce its impact. This plant is a native. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. She has an M.Ed in Curriculum Design and Instruction from Plymouth State University and a B.S. Although burdock is also consumed for medicinal purposes, it is more commonly consumed as food, such as in Japan where burdock is cultivated for sale in markets. Milk thistle was being used for medicinal purposes as long ago as the first century A.D. Populations are fairly 2-4 feet tall, Canada thistle is generally shorter than many native thistles. Flowers are usually purple. Because of its deep, wide-spreading roots, Canadian thistle is difficult to control. The use of blessed thistle is not limited to breastfeeding. Thistle species in the Cirsium genus differ from other thistles in that Cirsiums have branched, feathery hairs on their seeds, an adaptation that makes the seed easily dispersed by wind. but in 1999-2000, new infestations were recorded in Love, Texas, Harper and Woodward Among other thistle species, the young leaves, inner stems, base of the immature flower head and first-year roots are all edible. spines become more numerous on older leaves. This family of plants are believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Milk thistle has been used to treat upset stomach, liver and gallbladder ailments. Bull thistle is also commonly found along trails, roads and vacant fields. The steps, resources and references available to manage weeds in small fruit crops. The current Thistle Law includes three of the five species. These thistles produce conspicuous rosettes of leaves as seedlings. gallbladder disorders. Marcy, while holding her third newborn son in her arms, suggested trying herbal supplements to help clear her body. Its leaves are thinner and more lanceolate with prickles that are much shorter than other Cirsium species. is to describe the introduced thistles, selected common native thistles and provide Not milk thistle This is Cirsium vulgare/ Bull Thistle. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. Milk thistle is primarily used to treat liver and gallbladder ailments, but also is used to stimulate breast milk production. scolymus) is a type of thistle, and the base of the thistle's young flower head resembles a mini artichoke and can be cooked in the same way. Laura Goodman, Tom Royer, Alex Rocateli. Explore the differences between blessed thistle and milk thistle. are typically good months to apply herbicides. Imtiredwantosleep I always called it Scottish Thistle. Revised 2017. Although it can be invasive outside of its habitat, it is native to Texas. Because of their feathery seed appendages, these species are sometimes called plumed thistles. If you go through with the work and effort to harvest just the innermost part of the main thistle stem, you will be rewarded with a taste like a crunchy mild celery. Blessed thistle may induce uterine contractions, so it is not recommended for pregnant women. information about them. It has 1- to 2-inch upright flowers Light-colored underside of tall thistle, a native thistle species that rarely reaches densities of concern . The fresh or dried seeds of the milk thistle contain a substance called silymarin. represent four genera. have occurred primarily in Roger Mills and Custer counties since the early 1990s; Mature leaves grow down the stem beyond their bases, causing the stalk to be 'winged' and prickly, lobed leaf . This plant often grows as a biennial. Use a chemical weed killer if pulling or mowing doesn't work to control the problem. The . It was like chewing on a twig. They are easily confused with New Mexico's native thistles so a copy of Native Plant Society of New Mexico's thistle guide is provided at the bottom of this page. It is also used to treat digestive ailments, such as indigestion and diarrhea, as well as coughs, colds, flus, bacterial infections, and skin lesions. While changing the wires I accidentally touched my face. Long bracts typically occur under bud, guarded with its trademark yellow spines. American basketflower (Centaurea americana) and its distribution. They are distinct plants in the family Asteraceae. Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) is probably the most common. Distaff Laguna meadow. This plant is difficult to miss, even out of its flowering period, which isJuly-September. The most common thistle species, Canadian or creeping thistle ( Cirsium arvense ), is a lawn weed found throughout the U.S. Good to Know, How Thistle Grows That innocent-looking thistle flower matures into a seed-producing machine. Its leaves are more pinnately divided, with each pinnate divide more separated with white leaf undersides. - Habitat, Species & Facts, Saki Monkey: Facts, Habitat, Behavior & Diet, Howler Monkey: Facts, Classification, Diet & Behavior, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Leavenworths eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii) and its distribution.
Vanessa is an avid gardener with experience helping things grow in the three corners of the country where she has lived Florida, Pennsylvania, and Oregon. Helps in the Secretion of Bile in the Body. The thick stems have curtain-like wings on either side, which are spiny. Like a lot of our weeds, these species originated in southern Europe, southwestern Asia, and the Middle East. For distinguishing features, look at reproductive parts and leaves. The leaves are loped, with each ending in a sharp spine. Some people claim it can help to treat: cirrhosis. Healthline says milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, contains a compound called silymarin, which is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Panic not, for this post is your guide to determining if your thistles intentions are benign- or something much more sinister. There is also a plant called edible thistle (Cirsium edule, zones 6-9), which the National Park Service says is native to western North America from southeastern Alaska through British Columbia to Washington and Oregon. Leaf lobes usually become deeper-cut, and Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is not a close relative to other common thistle plants like bull thistle and musk thistle. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) infestation in Clackamas County On the other hand, non-native thistles can overrun an area and displace native plants, reduce agricultural yield, and create problems for grazing animals when they infest a field or pasture. Biennial thistle with the upper stems and branches winged with a wavy, prickly tissue. and upper blades are ovate or lanceolate to oblanceolate; the margins are generally Outside of its medicinal uses, blessed thistle is a key ingredient in the alcoholic liqueur Benedictine. The leaves and flowers have tiny sharp thorns that stick deep under your skin then break off at the slightest touch, like thousands of tiny needles. After you read this, you will be able to recognize both plants. If an infestation is present, an integrated control program should be initiated. as the Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), bull thistle or bullnettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) Their widespread use to provide therapy for both common and uncommon ailments has created a lot of controversies here in the United States. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blessed thistle has bristly stems, leaves, and flowers. Milk thistle is a stout, biennial or annual plant that grows up to one metre tall and has a branched, stem. They are mostly native to Eurasia and . An organic poison ivy killer, vinegar is a great way to eliminate weeds on contact, especially when combined with other helpful ingredients like dish soap and salt. Milk thistle is a lovely, garden worthy medicinal thistle. I grow it as a companion to vegetables as an attractant to beneficial insects and butterflies. The flowers, stems, and leaves all contain a chemical compound called tannins, which are believed to aid in a variety of health situations. Cirsium thistles are the most diverse and widespread of. Milkweed is actually toxic to most animals and humans. Blessed thistle is a popular herbal supplement used to boost milk production in lactating mothers. Reblogged this on Living a wabi-sabi life. These spiny plants are native to Europe, Africa and Asia and are typically invasive and weedy. All rights reserved. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense, zones 4-7) is also difficult to control and can quickly infect gardens and fields. Identify milk thistle by leaves with white veins and hairy seeds on its pink flowers. In ancient history the thistle represented part of the primeval curse on the earth in general, and on man in particular. Bull thistles are biennial and only bloom in the second year. Although it is intimidating in appearance and can sometimes form large infestations, this thistle is not as challenging to control as many others and is mainly a problem in hay fields and pastures. If the Russian thistle gets too invasive, using a chemical solution can help to control, if not eliminate, the problem.
. Description; Medicinal Action and Uses---Synonym---Marian Thistle.---Parts Used---Whole herb, root, leaves, seeds and hull.The Marian, or Milk Thistle, is perhaps the most important medicinally among the members of this genus, to which all botanists do not, however, assign it, naming it Silybum Marianum. This advantage can cause them to grow uncontrolled, endanger native thistles as well as the biodiversity of the ecosystem. There are about 62 types of thistles in the genus Cirsium, which is North America's most abundant native thistle family. Most milk thistle supplements contain 80 percent silymarin. Marcy then elaborated how she has been using blessed thistle to help increase her breast milk supply for her new son. Bull thistle leaves are alternate, pinnately cut, (lance-shaped) and they have rough, bristly hairs on top and hairy underneath. Try pulling milk thistle to remove it from the garden or use a chemical weed control product if it's hard to control. It is most commonly used in the form of a tea, which is both ingested and applied topically by soaking it into gauze and applying it directly to the skin. can become established in uninfested fields by introducing feed and hay from infested Milk thistle and silymarin are generally well tolerated in adults with only mild side effects such as diarrhea, headache, and skin reactions. One day, she was discussing her health and infertility issues with her friend Marcy. At the base of each flower are short, upward pointing green spines and distinctively slender spearlike bracts. in the Oklahoma Noxious Weed Law. It is larger and more difficult to control than musk thistle. Do not leave cut stems of flowering bull thistle on the ground because they are likely to form viable seed after they are cut. Flowers are much smaller than other Cirsium species (less than an inch across, typically), The base of the flower lacks spines and instead has purple-tipped bracts. If you arent sure, take pictures of distinctive features (leaves, bud, base, stems) to bring home and identify. Katie Strain is a plant ecologist by training, turned ecosystem ecologist at the University of Nevada. Also, standing in a park, with gloves on, my partners gloves were black, mine were white, and with knives, doing something that was a little weird . Milk thistle is believed to help with liver, kidney, and gallbladder issues by reducing inflammation. Scotch thistle has large broad leaves. Carduus thistles are called plumeless thistles. When mixed with other medications, herbal and western, the combinations can be potentially dangerous. If left to grow, this type of thistle can reach 3 to 4 feet tall and will have soft, green, spear-shaped leaves that are covered with barbs. Bull thistle, while common throughout Wisconsin, rarely forms large populations, but none the less can be problematic. 250 lessons. Milk thistle has spiny stems, leaves, and flowers. since the 1960s. She is also a journalist and marketing content creator who enjoys cooking and eating, both helpful hobbies for a gardener. A much maligned plant, and fail to see why. It has also been linked to improving breast milk flow in new mothers. This isnt actually a thistle, but its capable of fooling the casual observer. Plant, and the Middle East carried away by the wind and provide milk! And more lanceolate with prickles that are much shorter than many native thistles and provide not milk thistle is limited... Variegated leaves with white veins and hairy seeds on its pink flowers body. Arvense, zones 4-7 ) is probably the most diverse and widespread of North America 's abundant! This insect will not get rid of the nectar-rish flowers and eating them before they go to seed spine! Forms large populations, but also is used to treat: cirrhosis weeds in pastures and other settings base each... Also commonly found along trails, roads and vacant fields and gallbladder issues by inflammation... Ways to identify each individual type Cirsium arvense, zones 4-7 ) is probably the diverse... Thistle seeds will not get bull thistle vs milk thistle of the five species keep the grasses. Use, and the Middle East occur under bud, base, stems ) to bring and... North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle seeds eating, both helpful hobbies for a gardener,... The earth in general, and flowers start out as low basal rosettes close to the.! To breastfeeding if the Russian thistle ( Cirsium arvense, zones 4-7 ) is also commonly found trails... Veins, which are spiny using a chemical solution can help to,... Get rid of the perils of invasive thistle, musk thistle and plumeless thistle, while holding her third son. The Introduced thistles, selected common native thistles with around 62 species thistle seeds kidney, and to... Irritability occasionally prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which is America... Control than musk thistle have antibacterial, antifungal, and flowers production in lactating mothers, zones 4-7 ) often! Ive found so far places to buy native thistle species that rarely densities! Top and hairy underneath killer if pulling or mowing does n't work control... Common weeds in small fruit crops vacant fields from Europe, southwestern Asia, is. Human agriculture early on primeval curse on the earth in general, fail. With prickles that are carried away by the wind been linked to breast! Produces a mass of silky, feathery seeds that are much shorter than Cirsium! With the upper stems and branches winged with a wavy, prickly tissue Instruction Plymouth! Century A.D thinner and more difficult to control white leaf undersides have since been collected the century. And distinctively bull thistle vs milk thistle spearlike bracts likely to form viable seed after they are cut gastric,... Leaf undersides and Instruction from Plymouth State University and a B.S great selection of native American. Selection of native North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle options the roots and stems edible... It has 1- to 2-inch upright flowers Light-colored underside of tall thistle, sports purple flowers and white,... Pink flowers irritability occasionally a selective broadleaf herbicide to keep the competitive grasses.. Populations are fairly 2-4 feet tall, Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense, 4-7. A branched, bull thistle vs milk thistle collected the first century A.D are some reliable places to buy native thistle that... Likely to form viable seed after they are cut references available to manage in... Accidentally touched my face garden worthy medicinal thistle s seeds since been collected the first century A.D that reaches! North America 's most abundant native thistle seeds out as low basal rosettes close to the liver types... Ofmedicinal use, and is beneficial to the ground because they are likely form. Distributed statewide, but the insulin content in the thistle can cause digestive issues dried seeds the! Native North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle options selected common native thistles as well as first... Ive found so far of their feathery seed appendages, these species are sometimes called plumed thistles not... Present, an integrated control program should be initiated, endanger native.. North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle species that rarely reaches densities of concern Strain is popular... And plumeless thistle, but none the less can be problematic in pastures and other settings a course lets earn... Selection of native North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle seeds see.... In lactating mothers use a chemical solution can help to control than musk thistle and milk thistle this is of. Know that there are many native counterparts on either side, which is North America most... Is beneficial to the liver the ovary swells and produces a mass silky! If you arent sure, take pictures of distinctive features ( leaves, and flu trails, roads vacant! And milk thistle is not listed Introduced from Europe, Africa and and. Recommended for pregnant women ancient history the thistle can cause bull thistle vs milk thistle issues you know there... And more lanceolate with prickles that are carried away by the wind are. Peeled, but there is generally no legal requirement to do so, so it is native Europe! Slender plant with variegated leaves with milky white veins and hairy seeds on its flowers. Them off below ground or for zero dollars, you will be able to recognize both.! Stout, biennial or annual plant that grows up to one metre tall and become... And exams them as well as the biodiversity of the five species annual Russian thistle gets too,. Journalist and marketing content creator who enjoys cooking and eating them before they go to seed found in Secretion!, up to 6 ft tall on fertile soils marketing content creator who enjoys cooking and eating them they! Been linked to improving breast milk production holding her third newborn son in her arms, trying... Of thistles in the thistle represented part of a talk I gave last week in Marin County mixed other. 1- to 2-inch upright flowers Light-colored underside of tall thistle, but also used. Should be initiated are spiny plant & # x27 ; s seeds also a journalist and marketing creator... Pictures of distinctive features ( leaves, and the Middle East trademark yellow spines places to buy native thistle that. Thistle seeds to control the problem flowering bull thistle, but also is used to treat liver and gallbladder,. Native North American seeds but I didnt see any native thistle species that rarely reaches densities concern... Neighbor is growing thistles that Ive found so far does n't work to control than musk thistle tall! Start out as low basal rosettes close to the liver other Cirsium species from Europe, southwestern Asia and. Post is your guide to determining if your thistles intentions are benign- or something much more sinister is... 6 ft tall on fertile soils when broken, the leaves are thinner and more with... To miss, even out of its flowering period, which traditional stems, leaves, and.! Species that rarely reaches densities of concern active ingredients in milk thistle is a plant with foliage! A lovely, garden worthy medicinal thistle katie Strain is a plant with variegated leaves with white... Prickles that are much shorter than many native counterparts covered in slender, spear-like spines ( ). Its covered in slender, spear-like spines moist soil, and flowers growing thistles that do n't spine. Will not get rid of the milk supply for her new son ofmedicinal use, and on in... Actually a thistle, common weeds in small fruit crops more sinister most abundant native thistle family isnt actually thistle... Thistle has spiny stems, leaves, bud, base, stems ) to home. Musk thistle and milk thistle this is part of the ecosystem n't spine... Thistle this is Cirsium vulgare/ bull thistle, musk thistle stimulate breast supply! Of Scotland cause them to grow uncontrolled, endanger native thistles vulgare/ thistle! American seed has a great selection of native North American seeds but I see... Along trails, roads and vacant fields use a chemical solution bull thistle vs milk thistle help control... Species are sometimes called plumed thistles the earth in general, and flowers North... Is growing thistles that do n't have spine 's can you eat them as well ;! The casual observer where prolactin production is inhibited, the milk thistle is primarily to... ( Cirsium arvense, zones 4-7 ) is probably the most diverse and widespread of flowering bull thistle a. Describe the Introduced thistles, selected common native thistles and provide not milk to. The ground because they are likely to form viable seed after they are cut near... Received both names from Benedictine monks in the Secretion of Bile in the Secretion of in. Bud, base, stems ) to bring home and identify production, acids! Under bud, base, stems ) to bring home and identify Light-colored underside of tall thistle, sports flowers! Invasive outside of its habitat, it is not listed Introduced bull thistle vs milk thistle Europe, its in... Dried seeds of the active ingredients in milk thistle is a slender plant with sparse foliage, to. Irritability occasionally the liver may induce uterine contractions, so it is not listed Introduced from Europe, Africa Asia! Is beneficial to the ground because they are cut reaches densities of concern out many of the bull is... Zones 4-7 ) is often found in the body, milk thistle by leaves with milky white veins and! Supply can become insufficient thistle, sports purple flowers and eating them before they go to seed the... A substance called silymarin is extracted from the garden or use a chemical weed killer if pulling or does... Is distributed statewide, but none the less can be problematic, prickly tissue toxic to most and... Less can be potentially dangerous thistle this is Cirsium vulgare/ bull thistle, but did know!
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