Practical
Plants

Onopordum acanthium

Scotch Thistle

a biennial member of the Onopordum genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Growth rate
slow
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Edible uses

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

Flower buds - cooked. A globe artichoke substitute[9][11][14][4][6], though they are much smaller and very fiddly to use[K]. Stems - cooked. Used as a vegetable, they are a cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) substitute[9][11]. The stems are cooked in water like asparagus or rhubarb[5]. They are best if the rind is removed[11][4][6]. Leaves and young plants - cooked[14][2]. They are harvested before the flowers develop and the prickles must be removed prior to cooking[14]. The petals are an adulterant for saffron[12][13][2][6], used as a yellow food colouring and flavouring. A good quality edible oil is obtained from the seed[9][11][6]. The seed contains about 25% oil[11].

Product or use
Colouring
Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The flowering plant is cardiotonic[14]. It is used in some proprietary heart medicines[14]. The juice of the plant has been used with good effect in the treatment of cancers and ulcers[11]. A decoction of the root is astringent[11]. It is used to diminish discharges from mucous membranes[11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cardiotonic

Material uses

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

The stem hairs are sometimes collected and used to stuff pillows[11]. An oil obtained from the seed is used as a fuel for lamps[11].

Product or use
Oil
Product or use
Stuffing

Environment

Range
Europe, possibly including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and W. Asia.
Habitat
Waste places and arable land, especially on chalky and sandy soils, avoiding shade[11][14]. Also found on slightly acid soils[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in situ[10]. The seed can also be sown in situ in autumn[10]. If the seed is in short supply then it can be sown in a pot in the greenhouse in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any ordinary garden soil[1][3]. Requires a well-drained soil, preferably in full sun though it tolerates light shade[10]. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil[10]. Grows very well in poor soils, succeeding in hot dry situations and tolerating drought when it is established[8]. A slow-growing plant[7]. Hardy to about -15°c[10]. A very ornamental plant[1], the flowers are very attractive to bees[10]. Plants are prone to slug and snail damage[7]. Often self-sows, sometimes to the point of nuisance, though the seedlings can easily be hoed out and can also be transplanted if they are moved whilst still small[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  8. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  14. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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