Jack W. Pearce
Mill Creek MetroPark, Bank of Glacier Lake. "Cursed Thistle"
Cirsium arvense, Canada (Canadian) Thistle
Cirsium arvense is a species of Cirsium, native throughout Europe and northern Asia, and widely introduced accidentally as a contaminant in cereal crop seeds around the world.
The standard English name in its native area is "Creeping Thistle." A can go by any number of other names in other areas including: Canada Thistle, Canadian Thistle, California Thistle, Corn Thistle, Cursed Thistle, Field Thistle, Green Thistle, Hard Thistle, Perennial Thistle, Prickly Thistle, Small-flowered Thistle, Way Thistle, and--my favorite--Lettuce From Hell Thistle. Canada or Canadian Thistle are in wide use in the U.S., despite it not being of Canadian origin.
The species is widely considered an"injurious weed" even in its native United Kingdom. It is labeled a serious invasive species or noxious weed in most regions where it has been introduced including, but not limited to, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
Despite its repugnant reputation, this and other "cursed thistles" are harvested for the interest and beauty they adds to fall and winter floral arrangements. Oh, and the roots are edible, though, it's said, "with a propensity to induce flatulence." The leaves and stalks are edible too, but must first be tediously despined. It seems to me that asparagus would be a far more worthwhile choice.
Mill Creek MetroPark, Bank of Glacier Lake. "Cursed Thistle"
Cirsium arvense, Canada (Canadian) Thistle
Cirsium arvense is a species of Cirsium, native throughout Europe and northern Asia, and widely introduced accidentally as a contaminant in cereal crop seeds around the world.
The standard English name in its native area is "Creeping Thistle." A can go by any number of other names in other areas including: Canada Thistle, Canadian Thistle, California Thistle, Corn Thistle, Cursed Thistle, Field Thistle, Green Thistle, Hard Thistle, Perennial Thistle, Prickly Thistle, Small-flowered Thistle, Way Thistle, and--my favorite--Lettuce From Hell Thistle. Canada or Canadian Thistle are in wide use in the U.S., despite it not being of Canadian origin.
The species is widely considered an"injurious weed" even in its native United Kingdom. It is labeled a serious invasive species or noxious weed in most regions where it has been introduced including, but not limited to, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
Despite its repugnant reputation, this and other "cursed thistles" are harvested for the interest and beauty they adds to fall and winter floral arrangements. Oh, and the roots are edible, though, it's said, "with a propensity to induce flatulence." The leaves and stalks are edible too, but must first be tediously despined. It seems to me that asparagus would be a far more worthwhile choice.