In older literature the name Cirsium edule was widely misapplied to this species[].

Common Name: Indian Thistle

General Information

Cirsium brevistylum is a prickly, annual to biennial plant growing from a taproot; it produces a basal rosette of leaves and an erect, usually unbranched flowering stem that can be from 20 - 350cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western N. America - British Colombia, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California

Habitat

Coastal meadows, marshes, swamps, riparian woodlands, moist sites in coastal scrub, chaparral, coastal woodlands, mixed conifer-hardwood forests, or coniferous forests, sea level to 1000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cirsium species are generally easily grown plants, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Root - peeled and eaten raw or cooked[, , ]. One of the more palatable thistle roots[]. The thick, carrot-like taproot is likely to be 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[].

Stem - peeled[]. One of the more palatable thistles[].

The flowerheads have been chewed to obtain the nectar[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[]. No details of potential yields etc are given[].

The seed floss has been spun with yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) inner bark to make clothing for babies[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c.