Cirsium vulgare Common thistle (Compositae)

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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].

General Uses: A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used in making paper. The fibre is about 0.9mm long[189]. The stems are harvested in late summer, the leaves removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped off. The fibres are cooked with lye for two hours and then put in a ball mill for 3 hours. The resulting paper is a light brown tan[189]. The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[4]. No details of potential yields etc are given[K]. The down makes an excellent tinder that is easily lit by a spark from a flint[212].

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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'.
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