Cirsium brevistylum - Indian Thistle

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America.

Cirsium brevistylum (Indian Thistle) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Indian Thistle will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Indian Thistle prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Indian Thistle can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Brushy and wooded slopes, in mixed evergreen forests and in coastal scrub in California[71].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The plant is a short-lived perennial, and is often biennial[71, 256]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Root - peeled and eaten raw or cooked[177, 256, 257]. One of the more palatable thistle roots[212]. The thick, carrot-like taproot 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[K]. Stem - peeled[212]. One of the more palatable thistles[212]. The flowerheads have been chewed to obtain the nectar[257].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

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

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[4]. No details of potential yields etc are given[K]. The seed floss has been spun with yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis notkatensis) inner bark to make clothing for babies[257].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
• Oil - Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

A California Flora.
Munz.
Author: Munz.
Rating:
Publisher : An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1959

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