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Cirsium vulgare Common thistle (1 Page of 5) The Cirsium vulgare plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Common thistle. Some home gardeners know the variety as C. lanceolatum. non Hill. Carduus lanceolatus. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Cirsium vulgare Common Name: Common thistle Family: Compositae Author: (Savi.)Ten. Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 2 Mature Width: Habitat: Fields, waysides, gardens and waste places to 600 metres[17].
Edible Uses: Root - cooked[183]. A taste somewhat like a Jerusalem artichoke, but not as nice[K]. A rather bland flavour, the root is best used mixed with other vegetables[9]. The root can be dried and stored for later use[257]. The root is rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. This starch thus passes straight through the digestive system and, in some people, ferments to produce flatulence[K].
Young flower stems - cooked and used as a vegetable[177, 183].
Young leaves can be soaked overnight in salt water and then cooked and eaten[183]. Another report says that they can be used in salads[9]. The taste is rather bland but the prickles need to be removed from the leaves before the leaves can be eaten - not only is this a rather fiddly operation but very little edible matter remains[K].
Flower buds - cooked. Used like globe artichokes[177, 183], but smaller and even more fiddly.
The dried flowers are a rennet substitute for curdling plant milks[183].
Seed - occasionally eaten roasted[183].
For further Cirsium vulgare gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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