Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
marianum
ID:
15262

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Gaertn.

Source:
gcc

Year:
1791

Citation Micro:
De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum 1791

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000014591



Common Names

  • Silybum Marianum
  • Milk Thistle
  • Mary Thistle


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Synonyms

  • Silybum marianum albiflorum Eig [unknown]
  • Centaurea dalmatica Fraas [unknown]
  • Mariacantha maculosa Bubani [unknown]
  • Carduus mariae Crantz [unknown]
  • Silybum mariae Gray [unknown]
  • Carduus lactifolius Stokes [unknown]
  • Silybum maculatum Moench [unknown]
  • Mariana mariana Hill [unknown]
  • Carduus marianus L. [unknown]
  • Silybum leucanthum Jord. & Fourr. [unknown]
  • Silybum marianum marianum [unknown]
  • Silybum intermedium Willk. [unknown]
  • Carduus versicolor Salisb. [unknown]
  • Silybum pygmaeum Cass. [unknown]
  • Mariana lactea Hill. [unknown]
  • Cirsium maculatum Scop. [unknown]
  • Carthamus maculatus Lam. [unknown]

Description

Silybum marianum (also called milk thistle, among many other common names) is an annual herb native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has spiny leaves and grows in disturbed soils in meadows, pastures, and roadsides.

Uses & Benefits

Silybum marianum is an edible plant that is often used in salads or as a garnish. It is also used in herbal remedies for its medicinal properties. It is drought-tolerant and can tolerate a variety of soil types.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Silybum marianum is a bright purple flower head, with a yellow center and purple petals. The seed is a small, black, oval-shaped seed. The seedling is a small, light green plant with a single stem and a few small leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Silybum marianum is a perennial plant that can be propagated from seed or by division. For seed propagation, sow the seeds in a well-drained soil in spring or early summer. For division, divide the clumps in late spring or early summer and replant them in a moist soil mix. The plant prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Where to Find Silybum marianum

Silybum marianum is native to the Mediterranean region and can be found in Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco, and Spain.

Silybum marianum FAQ

What is the scientific name of Silybum marianum?

Silybum marianum

What is the common name of Silybum marianum?

Milk thistle

What is the natural habitat of Silybum marianum?

Silybum marianum is native to the Mediterranean region, and is typically found in dry, rocky soils.

Species in the Silybum genus

Species in the Asteraceae family

Aaronsohnia pubescens, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Abrotanella filiformis, Abrotanella rostrata, Abrotanella linearis, Abrotanella trilobata, Abrotanella muscosa, Abrotanella inconspicua, Abrotanella trichoachaenia, Abrotanella caespitosa, Abrotanella nivigena, Abrotanella pusilla, Abrotanella linearifolia, Abrotanella papuana, Abrotanella rosulata, Abrotanella emarginata, Abrotanella fertilis, Abrotanella spathulata, Abrotanella purpurea, Abrotanella patearoa, Abrotanella submarginata, Abrotanella diemii, Abrotanella scapigera, Abrotanella forsterioides, Acamptopappus shockleyi, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Acanthocephalus benthamianus, Acanthocephalus amplexifolius, Acanthocladium dockeri, Acanthodesmos distichus, Acanthodesmos gibarensis, Acanthospermum humile, Acanthospermum consobrinum, Acanthospermum glabratum, Acanthospermum microcarpum, Acanthospermum hispidum, Acanthospermum australe, Acanthospermum lecocarpoides, Acanthostyles buniifolius, Acanthostyles saucechicoensis, Achillea buiana, Achillea conrathii, Achillea cucullata, Achillea styriaca, Achillea clavennae, Achillea cappadocica, Achillea huber-morathii, Achillea ptarmicoides, Achillea sieheana, Achillea barrelieri,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record gcc-114114: Based on the initial data import
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Joseph Gaertner (1732-1791): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Gaertn.' in the authors string.