Botanical Survey of India | Flora of India

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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.




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