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Scientific Name:Cirsium species
Common Name(s): thistle
Edible: yes
Medicinal: no
Parts Used: root, stem
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
CAUTION--Some thistle species are poisonous.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Description: This plant may grow as high as 1.5 meters. Its leaves are long-pointed, deeply lobed, and prickly.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Habitat and Distribution: Thistles grow worldwide in dry woods and fields.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Edible Parts: Peel the stalks, cut them into short sections, and boil them before eating. The roots are edible raw or cooked.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Logos 13 Aug, 2008
Other Uses: Twist the tough fibers of the stems to make a strong twine.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Gasquagu 11 Jul, 2009
In most edible varieties, the leaves are also edible as a salad. Remove the spines first. They taste somewhat bitter as parsley or strong spinach.
The autumn stems (and mid to late summer) contain "survival" water -- a good source until you can find a more substantial pool of potable water.
Current Rating: 0.0000
Gasquagu 11 Jul, 2009
The bulbous pod just below the flower contains the plant seeds. It will open in late autumn. The seeds are carried by a white, fluffy down, similar to dandelion seeds. This down can make a good tinder to start a fire.