Silybum marianum (milk thistle)

Leaf type: Oblong to lanceolate, the basal leaves are more or less pinnately lobed and and covered with thorns on the edges
Phyllotaxis: Alternate (stem leaves), rosette-shaped (basal leaves)
Colour: Green-white marbled
Life cycle: Annual to biennial

Leaf (upper side)

Silybum marianum thorny leaf — Older leaves are spiny at the edges. The veins on the undersides of the leaves may be hairy.

Silybum marianum basal leaves — Milk thistle basal leaves in February.

basal leaves of young milk thistles — Basal leaves of young milk thistles in October.

Milk thistle bracts — The bracts of the milk thistle are pointed and spiny.

Habitus & biology

Silybum marianum can grow as an annual or biennial. It reaches a height of up to 1.5 metres. Its basal leaves can become up to 50 centimetres long.

Silybum marianum habitus flowering — Habitus of flowering milk thistles in June.

Distribution & habitates

Silybum marianum originates from the Mediterranean region, but has also found its way into other regions as an ornamental or medicinal plant and has become native there (distribution map).

Silybum marianum on embankment — Flowering milk thistles on an embankment.

Sunny and warm locations are ideal for the milk thistle. It can be found on embankments, in meadows or pastures, rubble pits, weedy areas and on roadsides.

Silybum marianum in meadow — Silybum marianum in a meadow.

Botany

Silybum marianum is a member of the Asteraceae family and is closely related to the artichoke.

Milk thistle is also commonly known as blessed milk thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary’s thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle.

Leaf (upper side)

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