Silybum marianum MILK THISTLE (15 seeds)

Milk Thistle, also known by its Latin name Silybum marianum, is a hardy biennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is a robust ambassador of the uncultivated lands of the Mediterranean basin. Easily recognizable by its imposing stature, it can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. Legend has it that the white patches on its leaves were caused by drops of the Virgin Mary's milk, which is how it earned its name.

Its leaves are large, glossy green, and deeply lobed. They are immediately distinguishable by their very wide white veins, creating a marbled network. The edges of the leaves are wavy and lined with sturdy, sharp yellow spines.

The inflorescence appears as a large, solitary flower head at the top of the stem. The flowers are an intense purple-violet. Flowering occurs from late spring through mid-summer.

Milk Thistle seeds are oblong, flattened achenes, brown or blackish in color, and often shiny. They are topped with a pappus—a tuft of silky white hairs arranged in a ring. This "plume" allows the seeds to be dispersed by the wind.

- Uses:

Renowned in the Middle Ages for its virtues against melancholy, Milk Thistle was later used for its therapeutic properties by American Eclectic physicians in the 19th century. Today, many medicinal preparations based on this plant are found throughout Europe, primarily for liver health.
Do not consume without medical advice from a healthcare professional.

The young leaves can be eaten like spinach (once the spines are removed), and the young shoots like asparagus. The flower buds can be consumed similarly to artichokes.

The seeds are highly prized by birds, particularly goldfinches.

- Germination and Sowing:

• It is recommended to begin sowing Milk Thistle as early as March.
• Choose a sunny, well-drained spot.
• Plow the soil deeply and remove weeds to ensure a clean growing area.
• In May, sow the seeds in soil rich in organic matter and cover them lightly with earth.
• Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
• Germination typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Milk Thistle prefers deep, well-drained, and relatively fertile soil, although it can survive in poor, stony ground. It particularly appreciates limestone-rich or nitrogen-rich soils.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

This plant requires full sun. Intense light is necessary for the proper development of its leaf rosette and to ensure a generous flowering.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

It is a very cold-hardy plant, capable of tolerating temperatures as low as -15°C. During its first year, it forms a rosette that stays close to the ground through winter before growing a tall stem and flowering the following year.

- Watering / Water Needs:

Once well-established, Milk Thistle is highly drought-resistant thanks to its long taproot that draws water from deep underground. Watering is only necessary during prolonged droughts or to help young plants get established.

- Pests / Diseases:

It is mainly susceptible to attacks from black aphids, which cluster on the stems and under the leaves. Slugs and snails may also attack the young rosettes in the spring. In cases of excessive humidity and poor air circulation, powdery mildew may appear on the foliage.