Scotch Thistle

Onopordon acanthium

Family: Asteraceae
Biennial or overwintering annual. Native to the British Isles. Volunteers freely. The
downy, light-colored leaf and stem are quite decorative and have been known to
occasion stares of incomprehension from visitors. The juice of the plant, which may
be pressed from the leaves and hollow stems, has been used historically as an
anticancer agent. Cultivation: Easy. Direct seed in late summer or spring, in average
soil. Thin to or plant 2 feet apart. Flowers to 7 feet. Not for sale to WA, OR states.

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