Milk thistle – Silybum marianum
Milk thistle – Silybum marianum
Various other COMMON NAMES
Marian thistle
Various other COMMON NAMES
LATIN NAME
Silybum marianum
LATIN NAME
FAMILY
Asteraceae
FAMILY
Portion USED
Seed
Portion USED
DESCRIPTION
An annual or biennial, Silybum marianum grows up to six feet tall, through an erect stem. Alternate leaves are grayish green, spiny, and white veined. When reduced, they exude a milky sap. Blossoms are reddish purple, ridged, along with sharply spined. Fruits are brown, spotted, and glossy, with a white tuft of hair.
DESCRIPTION
HABITAT
This vegetable is a native of Europe. Try it now (click the following document) is also cultivated in North America, South America, and Australia.
HABITAT
FOLKLORE AND TRADITIONAL USES
According to medieval legend, the white markings on milk thistle leaves were caused by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk. Consequently, the place became known as our lady’s marianum, or thistle, from which the standard name “milk thistle” is derived. Thistles, briers, along with thorns are talked about often times in the Bible and are frequently used interchangeably with one another. In the Book of Isaiah “brier” is employed to imply troublesome males.
FOLKLORE AND TRADITIONAL USES
Medicinal USES