Silybum marianum (St Mary’s Thistle) is a medicinal herb that is native to southern Europe and large portions of Asia. It is a popular plant in traditional medicine for increasing breastmilk and in treating various liver diseases. St Mary’s Thistle is easy to grow, requires little maintenance and produces purple flowers during Summer.
Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Silybum marianum is a hardy, drought resistant herbal plant that is in the same family as Sunflowers. Other common names include Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, Blessed Milkthistle, Scotch Thistle and Mediterranean Milk Thistle. They are commercially cultivated as an annual plant but can survive through cold winters to become biennials.
This species is an annual or biennial plant of the family Asteraceae. This typical thistle has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins. Originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia, it is now found throughout the world.
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Growth
Silybum marianum is an upright annual or biennial that grows to a maximum height of up to 200cm (7 feet) and can spread to a width of 160cm (5 feet). St Mary’s Thistle thrives in poor soils with little nutrients and don’t require any fertilising.
Leaves of St Mary’s Thistle are oblong to lanceolate and can grow to 60cm (24 inches) in length and have spiny edges, white veins and are hairless. Flowering occurs during the Summer and are red/purple in colour. Flower heads can reach 12cm (5 inches) in diameter and are surrounded by hairless bracts.
St Mary’s Thistle are ready to harvest in around 6-9 months.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
0-30°C / 33-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 200cm (7 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 160 cm (5 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual or Biennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
6-9 months
GERMINATION RATES:
70-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
14-21 days at temperatures between 5-25°C / 41-77°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 40
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 7 years.
FACTS ABOUT SILYBUM MARIANUM (St Mary’s Thistle)
Silybum marianum is a herb that has been used for over 2,000 years. Dioscorides, a Greek physician and botanist, was the first to describe the herbs healing properties as early as 40 A.D.
The actual leaves of the plant have spotted white patterns that gives a look as if they’ve been dunked in milk. A milky liquid is extracted from the leaves when crushed which was the inspiration behind the plants name.
As a herb, St Mary’s Thistle is commonly used to treat liver diseases but is also helpful with weight-loss and in increasing milk production for nursing mothers. One study suggests milk production can be increased by up to 86%.
A tea can be made from the leaves and crushed seeds by steeping them in hot water for five minutes prior to consuming. Keeping the seeds and/or leaves in the freezer helps to retain their nutrients for longer periods. They can also be used to make a tincture.
For more information regarding the medicinal benefits of St Marys Thistle click here.
