. Bulletin. 1901-13. Agriculture; Agriculture. 44 AMERICAN MKDICINAI. hKAVKS AM) ilEKBiS. BLESSED THISTLE. Ctticus benedict us Synonyms.—Centovrea hnirdichi ]..; ('(irduns hencdirtiis Cam.; Cnrbenia hcnedirtn Adans. Other common names.—Holy thistle, St. Boiiedict's thif<llc, Our Lady'.s thustle, bitter thistle, fjiotted thistle, cursed thistle, blessed cardus, t^potted eardus. IlahitQi and range.—The blessed thistle is a weed which has been introduced into this country from southern Europe and is found in waste ])lace8 and stony, uncultivated locali- ties from Nova Scotia to Maryland an
. Bulletin. 1901-13. Agriculture; Agriculture. 44 AMERICAN MKDICINAI. hKAVKS AM) ilEKBiS. BLESSED THISTLE. Ctticus benedict us Synonyms.—Centovrea hnirdichi ]..; ('(irduns hencdirtiis Cam.; Cnrbenia hcnedirtn Adans. Other common names.—Holy thistle, St. Boiiedict's thif<llc, Our Lady'.s thustle, bitter thistle, fjiotted thistle, cursed thistle, blessed cardus, t^potted eardus. IlahitQi and range.—The blessed thistle is a weed which has been introduced into this country from southern Europe and is found in waste ])lace8 and stony, uncultivated locali- ties from Nova Scotia to Maryland and the South- ern States; also on the Pacific coai^t. It is culti- vated in many parts of Europe. Description.—In height this annual plant of the a.«ter family (Asteracea?) scarcely exceeds 2 feet, with coarse erect stems, branched and rather woolly. The leaves are large, 3 to 6 inches long or more, oblong lance shaped, thin, more or less hairy, with margins wavy lobed and spiny. The lower leaves and those at the bottom are narrowed toward the 1j a s e into winged stems, while those near the top are stemless and clasping. The yellow flower heads, which aj)pear from about May to August, are situated at the ends of the branches, almost hidden by the upper leaA'es, and are about an inch and a half in length. Immediately surrounding the yellow flower heads are scales of a leathery texture, tipped with long, hard, branching, vellowish-red spines. (Fig. .36.) Collection, prices, and uses.—The leafy flowering tops and the other leaves are gath- ered preferably just before or during the blossoming period and then are thoroughly and quickly dried. In the fresh state the leaves and tops have a rather disagreeable odor, which they lose on drying. They are bright green when fresh and grayish green and woolly when dry. Collectors receiA-e about 6 to 8 cents a pound. The taste of the blessed thistle is very bitter and salty and somewhat acrid. It is used principally as a bitter ton
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