Common Name:

General Information

Cirsium maritimum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a stout rootstock; it produces a basal rosette of leaves and an erect stem that can grow around 10 - 60cm 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

E. Asia - central and southern Japan.

Habitat

Near seashores[]. In maritime rocky and grassy slopes; from sea level to elevations of 20 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 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[]. This species is probably resistant to maritime exposure[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or 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[].

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[].
Division in spring or autumn.