Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. If you want to know more about Texas thistles, check out this post: Guide to Distinguishing Texas Thistles. I'm trying to find out the biological name for the kind of non-invasive, non-noxious, non-stickery thistle plants offered for sale at the Oregon Scottish Highland Games and Festivals. That sucks and Im sorry to hear it. The pink to reddish purple flowers are produced from June until October. Leaf edges are whitish and pale. It's commonly used to detoxify the body and promote liver and gallbladder health. It is a plant native to the Mediterranean, but is now cultivated around the world. Bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare) has lobed leaves with sword-shaped sections, and scary spines at the tips. Infestations were identified early and were eradicated. Among them are the use of herbal medicines. Milk thistle and silymarin are generally well tolerated in adults with only mild side effects such as diarrhea, headache, and skin reactions. No, blessed thistle is not the same as milk thistle. Comparatively, Canada thistle is a perennial that reproduces through underground rhizomes and wind-blown seeds. About bull thistle: Bull thistle is a non-native upright biennial This plant is much different than Canada thistle. Milk thistle is a plant with white-veined leaves that has traditionally been used to treat liver issues and stimulate breast milk production, among other applications. Milk thistle is partial to rocky soil and can grow up to 4 feet tall. Identify milk thistle by leaves with white veins and hairy seeds on its pink flowers. can become established in uninfested fields by introducing feed and hay from infested This species is a serious threat to range and pastures, Milk thistle is 100 percent natural. Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) invaded Oklahoma from the west. Blessed thistle contains a chemical compound called cnicin. Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) is probably the most common. Dead plants may remain standing for up to a year after they die. Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is for your information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. They are mostly native to Eurasia and . It's used in traditional medicine to treat liver diseases such as cirrhosis and is also known to galvanize the immune system. The first year they start out as low basal rosettes close to the ground. Breastfeeding women produce a hormone called prolactin, which stimulates the production of breastmilk. Some Cirsium species, such as bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), are invasive and difficult to control in a wide range of habitats. Thistles are a member of the plant family Asteracea, which is a very large group with about 24,000 members. The five invasive thistles that occur in Oklahoma are native to Europe and Asia and They can grow anywhere from 7.5 to 30 cm long. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense, zones 4-7) is also difficult to control and can quickly infect gardens and fields. It has spiny-winged stems and wrinkled, leathery leaves. bracts below the petals. If left to grow, this type of thistle can reach 3 to 4 feet tall and will have soft, green, spear-shaped leaves that are covered with barbs. Other potential benefits include . When mixed with other medications, herbal and western, the combinations can be potentially dangerous. By C. Zegler. Italian thistle also has several close relatives in California. Bull thistle is a widespread biennial thistle originally from Europe and Asia, but now introduced throughout North America. Most thistles have very similar inflorescences, so the best way to ID a thistle is to look for other clues. American basketflower (Centaurea americana) and its distribution. The flowerhead is supported by a large ray of hairless bracts at the base, that look sun-shaped from above. These weevils were originally These three species are common to pastures and right of way areas, but have become more common in no-till fields over the past decade. Wavyleaf thistle can grow to be 4 feet tall, and flowers June-July. Possible side effects include gastroenteritis, diarrhea, headache, and skin reactions. Distaff thistle has solitary, yellow flowers at the top An invasive, bushy plant, it grows up to 36 inches tall and is known for its heavy seed production. Milk thistle is partial to rocky soil and can grow up to 4 feet tall. Just make sure its not a non-native! Distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus) and its distribution. Prevalent in the United States and Canada, bull thistle . Carduus thistles are called plumeless thistles. Milk thistle is believed to exert a special chemical that helps protect the liver preventing damage. The water will be a brown, murky color when finished. Required fields are marked *. Similar species: Native marsh thistle (Cirsium muticum) has non-spiny stems and flower heads. Although it is invasive, Milk thistle is ofmedicinal use, and is beneficial to the liver. The thorn is embedded in my heal really deal and my heal is really thick. and released in other Oklahoma counties. threat in Oklahoma. I will try eating them again in Europe, but I don't think I'll have to eat them for a while. Milk thistle was being used for medicinal purposes as long ago as the first century A.D. My neighbor is growing thistles that don't have spine's can you eat them as well. Bull thistle has large, upright flowers with spine-tipped bracts below the petals. Light-colored underside of tall thistle, a native thistle species that rarely reaches densities of concern . A special thanks to OK State for this guide to Oklahoma thistles that helped me get started for this guide to Texas species. Perhaps youre enjoying the views of your backyard, state park, or hiking trail, and you stumble upon a large purple flower with spiny leaves. Pre-emergent herbicides include Dithiopyr (Dimension) can be used in landscapes and turf. Some side effects of eating milk thistle include headache, nausea and upset stomach. Create your account. S-Adenosylmethionine helps liver function by forming glutathione and methylation. Create your account. Should I Buy (or Retain) Stockers to Graze Wheat Pasture? This wild edible takes two years to complete the growing cycle. Create an account to start this course today. Extension Educator, Horticulture - Green Industry. thistles should be considered invasive. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can look a lot like Italian thistle, especially as a seedling. As fans of Western books and movies know, once the Russian thistle breaks free from the ground, it becomes what's known as a tumbleweed. Helps in the Secretion of Bile in the Body. One day, she was discussing her health and infertility issues with her friend Marcy. During the first growing season, the plant forms a rosette. Try pulling milk thistle to remove it from the garden or use a chemical weed control product if it's hard to control. later in Grady County. The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Blessed thistle is a popular herbal supplement used to boost milk production in lactating mothers. Its stems have spiny wings and its flowers are small and cylindrical. Legend has it that in the tenth century, the invading Danes gave themselves away by their screams when they tried to steal away barefoot through a dry moat full of thistles. Milk thistle seeds are medicinal and often used in tea to help with liver and kidney ailments. Swam thistle can grow to be 6 feet tall and as the name indicates- lives only in moist soil. If you have experience, you can also try using this dichotomous key, but beware that it is specific to Texas. Milk thistle, another variety, contains a chemical known as silymarin. Marcy, while holding her third newborn son in her arms, suggested trying herbal supplements to help clear her body. As a relative . It is larger and more difficult to control than musk thistle. There are numerous types of thistles (Carduus spp. Leaves are hairy on top and bottom, with a more silvery tone on the underside. Use about 1 tablespoon of milk thistle seed powder per cup of tea. in the northeastern Oklahoma counties. The leaves are deeply lobed and have a little bit of milky striping. home range are not present in the state, thus heavy infestations can often develop. as providing seeds for birds. Aside from the sharp stickers all over leaf, stem and flowers which make the milk thistle unpalatable, are the milk or italian thistle plants poisonous to livestock because of their high nitrogen content? This liquid is the thistle rennet for use in cheesemaking. Bull thistle can reach a height of 3 feet. Thanks for posting this - good info - I recall reading years ago that milk thistle (I think) is edible and some friends and I were trying to figure out which is which during this glorious spring. Blessed thistle is one of many herbal supplements used by women for lactation enhancement. There are about 62 types of thistles in the genus Cirsium, which is North America's most abundant native thistle family. One more benefit when discussing the milk thistle vs. TUDCA in the human body comprises the aid in the secretion of bile in the liver naturally. In addition to promoting lactation, blessed thistle is believed to stimulate appetite and treat diarrhea, indigestion, colds, and flu. But its leaves are not as deeply lobed, the milky stripes are much more pronounced, and the plant grows much bigger and more robust. Therefore, blessed thistle is used as a topical treatment for skin infections and wounds. However, the use of herbal supplements incorporated into diet and exercise are thought to be a more organic and holistic approach to health and many people see that as a plus in today's world of overprocessed food. information about them. 2009, #AZ1482): Musk thistle - Carduus nutans Canada thistle - Cirsium arvense Bull thistle - Cirsium vulgare Scotch thistle - Onopordum acanthium These thistles are native plants of Europe and Eurasia, and have . Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, What is Medicinal Herbology? is to describe the introduced thistles, selected common native thistles and provide Gotcha! If the Russian thistle gets too invasive, using a chemical solution can help to control, if not eliminate, the problem. 29 chapters | I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. There are several herbicides that are effective on bull thistle, but it is important to carefully match the product with your site, local conditions and regulations, and other weed and land management issues, and always follow the label directions for the product you are using. Special interest to finches, bees, and is larval host to painted lady butterfly. The rosettes can get up to 4 across. Also, Cirsiums have branched stems, while Carduus types of thistles are single-stranded. Mowing and pulling young plants can also help to keep it under control. Given the similarities in their names, blessed thistle and milk thistle are often thought to be the same herbal medicine. Front and back of bull thistle, musk thistle and plumeless thistle. Meanwhile, blessed thistle targets gastric issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, and decreased appetite. Blessed thistle side effects include nausea and vomiting, usually associated with taking quantities in excess of 6 grams per day. 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