''Cnicus benedictus'', known by the common names St. Benedict's thistle, blessed thistle, holy thistle and spotted thistle, is a
thistle-like plant in the family
Asteraceae, native to the
Mediterranean region, from
Portugal north to southern
France and east to
Iran. It is known in other parts of the world, including parts of North America, as an
introduced species and often a
noxious weed
A noxious weed, harmful weed or injurious weed is a weed that has been designated by an agricultural or other governing authority as a plant that is injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or liv ...
. It is the sole species in the
monotypic genus ''Cnicus''. Other species once included in the genus have largely been reclassified to ''
Cirsium'', ''
Carduus
''Carduus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, and the tribe Cardueae, one of two genera considered to be true thistles, the other being ''Cirsium''. Plants of the genus are known commonly as plumeless thistles. '', and ''
Centaurea''.
The related genus ''
Notobasis'' is included in ''Cnicus'' by some botanists; it differs in slender, much spinier leaves, and purple flowers.
Growth
It is an
annual plant
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies. The length of growing seasons and period in which they take place vary according to geographical ...
growing to 60 cm tall, with leathery, hairy
leaves
A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...
up to 30 cm long and 8 cm broad, with small spines on the margins. The
flowers are yellow, produced in a dense
flowerhead
Flowerhead was a rock band from Austin, Texas.
Biography
The seeds of Flowerhead were originally planted deep underground by founding members Eric Faust (Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitars) and Buz Zoller (Guitars, Vocals) in 1987. With the addition of ...
(capitulum) 3–4 cm diameter, surrounded by numerous spiny
basal
Basal or basilar is a term meaning ''base'', ''bottom'', or ''minimum''.
Science
* Basal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure
* Basal (medicine), a minimal level that is nec ...
bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
s. Blessed thistle blooms mid summer to early fall.
All parts of the plant have a light down covering. This plant has a sprawling habit instead of standing upright. It needs full sun to grow and good soil drainage, as it will die in waterlogged soil. Water blessed thistle daily if you want your plant to produce lush leaves.
Seeds are too large to start in most seed trays, so it is recommended to sow outside after the danger of frost passes. Bury the seed 1/4 inch in the soil which should remain most until germination that takes between two to three weeks. Leave at least 12 to 15 inches of space between plants.
In literature
In Shakespeare’s comedy ''
Much Ado About Nothing'', “Carduus Benedictus”, in tincture form, is recommended for a cold. The pointed allusion, by Margaret, is to Beatrice’s tormentor-lover, Benedict.
Edibility and medicinal use
These thistles are not considered
edible, unlike ''
Cirsium'', ''
Arctium'' and ''
Onopordum'' species; the leaves are considered unpalatable if not
bitter.
Blessed thistle is mostly used for medicinal purposes. Cnicin, the main component in this herb, is considered to have antibacterial properties, and to be anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. This plant was used to treat the Black Plague during the Middle Ages. Now it is mostly used as a
galactagogue with other herbs to increase breast milk supply. It is also used to aid the digestive system and detoxify the liver just like
milk thistle.
Blessed thistle can help neutralize bacteria such as E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Cnicin blocks the enzymes necessary for bacteria replication so they are not able to reproduce and die.
References
Jepson Manual Treatment
External links
Spotted thistleentry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
{{Taxonbar, from=Q792835
Cynareae
Galactagogues
Medicinal plants of Asia
Medicinal plants of Europe
Monotypic Asteraceae genera