There is some doubt that the report of medicinal use from [] really applies to this species, since it refers to a plant growing in China, whilst this species is endemic to Japan[]

Common Name:

General Information

Cirsium spicatum is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a stout rootstock with well-developed rhizomes; it produces a basal rosette of leaves and an erect flowering stem that can grow around 150 - 200cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern Japan (Shikoku, Kyushu).

Habitat

In sunny grasslands of the montane zones; at elevations from 800 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.80 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[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, ]. The root is stout with well-developed rhizomes[]. It is said to be deleterious in one report though no explanation is given[]. 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 plant - cooked[, ]. Sweet and palatable[].

Medicinal

The root is astringent, emmenagogue[]. The medicinal use of the root is thought to promote plumpness of the body[]. It is prescribed in the treatment of menstrual difficulties, irritable uterus, and in hemorrhages[].

The leaves are used for similar purposes to the roots, and also as a diuretic.
The bruised leaves are applied topically in the treatment of scaly skin diseases[].

In traditional Chines medicine there is usually little distinction made between this species and Cirsium japonicum - this species being seen as simply a larger variety of Cirsium japonicum. Generally speaking, this species is more likely to be used externally, whilst Cirsium japonicum is more frequently recommended for internal application[].

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.