Practical
Plants

Cirsium maackii

a perennial member of the Cirsium genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cirsium
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoot tips - cooked. An emergency food, used when all else fails[2].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[5]. No details of potential yields etc are given[K].

Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Habitat
Lowland and low elevations in mountains in S. Japan[6]. Grassland on mountain slopes, forest margins, meadows and near villages at levations of 100 - 1100 metres[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c[1]. Division in spring or autumn.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[3].

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  4. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  5. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  6. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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