Flora Friday - Spear Thistle
The Thistle is both the floral emblem of Scotland and The Encyclopedia Britannica. It evolved it's prickly leaves as a means of defense against animals. There are several different types of Thistle and after consulting several sources on the internet, I have determined that the Thistle pictured above is a Spear Thistle.
The Spear Thistle (Latin: Cirsium Vulgare) goes by other names such as:
- Black Thistle
- Scotch Thistle
- Scottish Thistle
- Bull Thistle
- Boar Thistle
- Common Thistle
- Green Thistle
Where to find
This Thistle is native throughout Europe, Western Asia and Northwestern Africa. It can also be found in Australia, North America and Africa as a naturalised species, this means that it is not a native species to these parts of the world but it has managed to adapt and reproduce in these new environments. It is also considered an invasive weed in some areas.
Our spiky friend can be found on disturbed and cultivated ground such as: pastures, roadside verges and field edges. It can also be found in gardens and can persevere in grazing lands as animals don't particularly like it. It's easier to spot between June - October when it's flowers (the purple/pink tufts) are visible although the colour may vary depending on where you live.
Edible Parts
It is recommended to harvest the Thistle early (June/July) if you intend to eat it. Surprisingly, parts of this prickly plant can be eaten. The stems can be peeled (to remove the spiny surface) and then steamed, boiled or roasted. It's roots can be eaten raw or cooked once cleaned. Once the prickles have been removed, the leaves can be eaten but they are quite bland on their own. The flower buds can be peeled, cooked and used similar to artichokes. Please wear gloves when handling Thistles! The roots contain insulin. If you have a medical condition that effects how your body processes insulin, consult your doctor before consuming!!
Medicinal uses
The roots have been used as a poultice and a decoction of the plant used as a poultice on sore jaws. A hot infusion of the whole plant has been used as a herbal steam for treating rheumatic joints. A decoction of the whole plant has been used both internally and externally to treat bleeding piles. Always consult your doctor before trying new remedies at home!!
Magic uses
The Thistle represents overcoming adversity and difficult situations. As such it it's a symbol of resilience. To the Celts, it represents devotion, bravery, determination and strength. In the Basque region of France, Thistles are considered a symbol of protection and is often found on doors in this region.
Victorian Flower Language
In Victorian Flower Language the Thistle means Misanthropy. Misanthropy means "a dislike of humankind". Given the plant's pointy nature I can understand why it was assigned this meaning. So next time you see someone who blatantly dislikes their fellow humans, you are well within your rights to call them a Thistle.
I went with this unusual choice for our Flora Friday debut because it is a very common plant (at least in the UK) and it's easily recognised. Where I used to live there were hundreds of these things and most people will have seen them at some point or another either in their gardens, woodland areas or when visiting a costal area. I thought it would be a good idea to focus on plants that are common as they can be found easier/are easier to identify. I also want people to be surprised when they learn about the properties of a plant they'd previously overlook.
I hope you've enjoyed our debut Flora Friday! Look out for next week's instalment and more to come!! If at any time you spot any incorrect information please contact us so we can change it!
This blog is for educational purposes only, consult your local experts if you are unsure about anything. Consult your doctor before trying home remedies.
Blessings,
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👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
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