Is this Milk Thistle?

socalgardengal · August 20, 2013

It looks like it hurts bad but I didn't pull it because I wanted to see the flower. It's kind of a pretty flower. If my ID is right, isn't it considered an herb or medicinal? Thanks

Doug9345 · August 20, 2013

It looks like a common thistle to me. The open purple floor is about as far open as they get. They definitely hurt if you run into one or grab it.

Ken4230 · August 20, 2013

The leaves directly below the flower look like Milk Thistle leaves. If the main stem has sharp spines on it, it is not Milk Thistle. My grandmother used to drink a "medicinal tonic" of thistle leaves steeped in corn whiskey.
They also used the leaves and sap as a poultice on infections and to draw splinters out.

The last few days, I have been trying to control the common old Field Thistle by bush-hogging and spraying Crossbow. I think i am fighting a losing battle, my hands and ankles are sore to the touch because they are full of thistle spines.

If you need some more, i will be glad to send you some

matilda'skid · August 21, 2013

Don't let it go to seed. I don't know milk thistle from musk thistle but don't take any chances.

habitat_gardener · August 21, 2013

It doesn't look like milk thistle to me. Milk thistle has pronounced white veining on the leaves with distinctive splotchiness (see google images). The seeds are the medicinal part.

Your plant looks like one of the invasive species that's taking over California's wildlands.

beeman · August 21, 2013

Looks like the Common Scots thistle, invasive, difficult to get rid of, as someone wrote, don't allow it to seed as they blow everywhere.
I know we all hate Roundup, but it was the only thing I found to get rid of it.

Ken4230 · August 21, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by beeman

Looks like the Common Scots thistle, invasive, difficult to get rid of, as someone wrote, don't allow it to seed as they blow everywhere.
I know we all hate Roundup, but it was the only thing I found to get rid of it.

Crossbow, a brush killer, will smoke it. It is quiet expensive, up to $75.00 a gal. Due to working long hours to build up my pension before retiring, my food plots and fallow ground has gotten away from me, so i have sprayed close to 20 gal. of it in the last 2 months.

I'm like you, i hate to use chemicals like that but sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. I've been using a tyvek suit lately. It stops the tingling that sometimes comes with the spraying.
Grandbabies will make you think before you do something stupid. Age helps also.

Ken

socalgardengal · August 21, 2013

I trying to learn the names of the weeds growing around my house. I'll scrap it up with a shovel today. Don't want nasty weeds growing and it has some gnarly thorns on it. The flower is beautiful though. Thanks everyone

August 20, 2013	#2
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	It looks like a common thistle to me. The open purple floor is about as far open as they get. They definitely hurt if you run into one or grab it.

August 20, 2013	#3
Ken4230 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Ky Posts: 282	The leaves directly below the flower look like Milk Thistle leaves. If the main stem has sharp spines on it, it is not Milk Thistle. My grandmother used to drink a "medicinal tonic" of thistle leaves steeped in corn whiskey. They also used the leaves and sap as a poultice on infections and to draw splinters out. The last few days, I have been trying to control the common old Field Thistle by bush-hogging and spraying Crossbow. I think i am fighting a losing battle, my hands and ankles are sore to the touch because they are full of thistle spines. If you need some more, i will be glad to send you some

August 21, 2013	#4
matilda'skid Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 309	Don't let it go to seed. I don't know milk thistle from musk thistle but don't take any chances.

August 21, 2013	#5
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	It doesn't look like milk thistle to me. Milk thistle has pronounced white veining on the leaves with distinctive splotchiness (see google images). The seeds are the medicinal part. Your plant looks like one of the invasive species that's taking over California's wildlands.

August 21, 2013	#6
beeman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 692	Looks like the Common Scots thistle, invasive, difficult to get rid of, as someone wrote, don't allow it to seed as they blow everywhere. I know we all hate Roundup, but it was the only thing I found to get rid of it.

August 21, 2013	#8
socalgardengal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego,Ca Posts: 462	I trying to learn the names of the weeds growing around my house. I'll scrap it up with a shovel today. Don't want nasty weeds growing and it has some gnarly thorns on it. The flower is beautiful though. Thanks everyone