Silybum marianum
(L.) Gaertn., Fruct. & Sem. 2: 374. t. 168. 1791; Hook.f., Fl.
Brit. India 3: 363. 1881. Carduus marianus L., Spa Pl. 823. 1753.
Eng.: Milk Thistle, Holy thistle.
Annuals or biennials 0.3 - 1.2 m tall. Leaves white veined, large, with strong spines; basal leaves 28 - 70 x 14 - 30 cm; cauline 7 - 18 x 2 - 7 cm. Heads 2.5 - 6.5 cm across. Involucral bracts coriaceous, spiny; spines 1.2 - 1.8 cm long. Receptacle fleshy. Flowers rose purple. Achenes black or grey, ca 6 - 8 mm long, transversely wrinkled. Pappus white, 1.5 - 2 cm long.
Fl. & Fr. May - Sept.
Distrib. India: 300-1700 m. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Pakistan, N. Africa and Europe.
Notes. Young shoots are boiled and eaten during spring. Seeds are roasted and used as substitute for coffee.
Annuals or biennials 0.3 - 1.2 m tall. Leaves white veined, large, with strong spines; basal leaves 28 - 70 x 14 - 30 cm; cauline 7 - 18 x 2 - 7 cm. Heads 2.5 - 6.5 cm across. Involucral bracts coriaceous, spiny; spines 1.2 - 1.8 cm long. Receptacle fleshy. Flowers rose purple. Achenes black or grey, ca 6 - 8 mm long, transversely wrinkled. Pappus white, 1.5 - 2 cm long.
Fl. & Fr. May - Sept.
Distrib. India: 300-1700 m. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Pakistan, N. Africa and Europe.
Notes. Young shoots are boiled and eaten during spring. Seeds are roasted and used as substitute for coffee.
