Common Name:

General Information

Cirsium spinosum is a prickly, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a stout rootstock; it produces a basal cluster of leaves and an erect, branched stemthat can grow around 25 - 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 - southern Japan (Kyushu, northern Ryukyu Islands)

Habitat

In maritime rocky and grassy slopes from sea level to 100 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 spinosum is found in the maritime regions of southern Japan where the climate can range from warm temperate to subtropical, usually with high rainfall. It is unlikely to tolerate heavy frosts.
Cirsium species are generally easily grown plants, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Root - peeled and cooked[, ]. The root is stout wih scarcely developed rhizomes[]. It 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[].

Leaves - cooked[, ].

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.