Cirsium heterophyllum 

'Melancholy Thistle'

[Ex. Teesdale, 310 m., England]

Asteraceae: an attractive upright perennial to 1m, with stems that are grooved, cottony, spineless and un-winged. Found on stream sides, damp verges, moist woodland edges and upland hay meadows. Preferring slightly acidic soils. The flowers are from 3-5cm across, with reddish-purplish florets, the heads are usually solitary or in small clusters, blooming from June-August. The seeds are feathery pappus hairs. The leaves are oval, toothed, and spineless. Locally common only in the North of England and Scotland. In Britain it is predominantly a sub-montane species, found at altitudes from 90 to 975 metres. A loss of this last habitat in favour of silage and the over-management of road verges has led to a decline. Native to Northern Europe and Central Asia.

USES:

The plant was once considered a possible cure for sadness. Nicholas Culpepper in 1669 said that it "makes a man as merry as a cricket".

GROWING INFORMATION:

Seed is best sown in late summer or autumn, but can be sown in early spring. Can be established in all parts of Britain but thrives best in the damper, cooler conditions of the northern half of the country. Once established regenerates by means of its creeping runners. A very ornamental thistle that is loved by bees.

  NOTES: All Cirsium Sp. seem to germinate best at low temps.

HARVESTED: 2022* [LIMITED] 

 
APPROX. 30 SEEDS