Common Name: Edible Thistle

General Information

Cirsium edule is a biennial to short-lived perennial plant growing from a taproot; it produces a single, erect stem thst can be 20 - 350cm tall. The plant can take two or more growing seasons before it flowers, but usually dies after flowering[].
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, Oregon.

Habitat

Wet meadows and open woods in mountains[]. Sea bluffs, roadsides, damp soil at edge of woods, openings in conifer or conifer-hardwood forests; at elevations from sea level to 900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cirsium species are generally easily grown plants, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[].
A polymorphic species, at least three distinct varieties are recognised[].
A monocarpic species, it grows for one or more years without flowering but then dies after flowering[, ].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, , , ]. The root 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[].
Young stems - peeled and eaten raw[, , , ]. Soft and sweet[], they are considered to be a luxury food[].
Young shoots - raw or cooked as greens[]. Harvested in spring[].

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[].

Propagation

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