Description
In the first year, a showy rosette of deeply lobed, obovate, spiny green leaves (to 20 long) with distinctive white marbling appea Leaves and stems exude a milky sap when cut, hence the common name of milk thistle.
Silybum marianum, commonly called blessed thistle or milk thistle, is a rosette-forming biennial that is native to the Mediterranean region (southern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa). It has naturalized in parts of Europe, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
It is an invasive self-seeder in some locations (Class A noxious weed in the State of Washington).Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Silybum marianum, blessed milkthistle |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 3.00 to 5.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | purple |
| Bloom Time | July to August |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Blessed Thistle care
The stem of the Blessed Thistle grows about 2 feet high, is reddish, slender, very much branched and scarcely able to keep upright under the weight of its leaves and flowerheads.
The leaves are broad at the base, becoming long and narrow, clasping the dull green stem, the irregular teeth of the wavy margin ending in spines.
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Watering | medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 12 to 15 . |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Blessed Thistle special feature
No serious insect or disease problems.
Blessed Thistle uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- An extract (silymarin) from the seeds of this plant has been used for many years in the treatment of a variety of medical problems including liver disorders, gall bladder disorders, high cholesterol and mushroom poisoning