Cirsium tuberosum

'Tuberous Thistle'

Asteraceae/Compositae: perennial herb to 60cm. Found on damp grassland on calcareous soils. the flowers are rich purplish-pink and thistle like, blooming from June-August. Leafy mounds of long, serrated leaves. A rare British native, which is declining in its two main areas in Wiltshire and Glamorgan. The reasons for the decline include habitat destruction by ploughing, coastal erosion, changes in land management and, particularly in Wiltshire, hybridisation with Cirsium acaule. It became extinct as a native in its sole Cambridgeshire locality in 1973, but has subsequently been re-introduced there. Native to Western and central Europe, including Britain.

USES:

The root can be cooked. It has a slight bitterness but acceptable, it makes a reasonable cooked vegetable.

Good bee and butterfly plant.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2-8 weeks at 20°C. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position. Plants are tolerant of considerable neglect, though they produce much better roots when given a good soil and some attention.

 
HARVESTED: 2023*

 
APPROX. 20 SEEDS [LIMITIED AS ALWAYS*]