Onopordum illyricum

'Illyarian Thistle'

[Ex. Olbia, 60m., Sardinia, Italy]

Asteraceae: a biennial herb producing an erect, branching, winged, spiny stem known to 2m. found in sunny and well-drained habitats. large flower heads each up to 7cm wide, bear many narrow glandular purple flowers, blooming from July to September. The seeds heads are cylindrical achene 4 or 5mm long topped with a white pappus a cm in length. The leaves are spiny, up to 50cm long and are divided into deep toothed lobes. Native to southwestern Europe, but has been introduced into Australia and California, where it has become a noxious weed.

USES:

The flower buds are cooked, and used as a globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) substitute.

GROWING INFORMATION:

sow spring in situ, or the seed can also be sown in situ in autumn. If the seed is in short supply, then it can be sown in a pot in the greenhouse in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Succeeds in almost any ordinary garden soil. Requires a well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers a slightly alkaline soil. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, and often self-sows. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Plants have proven hardy here for me, seeds sown summer 2018 to flower summer 2021.

HARVESTED: 2021*

 
APPROX. 20 SEEDS