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Cirsium species
Description
This plant may grow as high as 1.5 meters. Its leaves are long-pointed, deeply lobed, and prickly.
Habitat and Distribution
Thistles grow worldwide in dry woods and fields.
Edible Parts
Peel the stalks, cut them into short sections, and boil them before eating. The roots are edible raw or cooked.
Some thistle species are poisonous.
Other Uses
Twist the tough fibers of the stems to make a strong twine.
The stalks are a good thirst-quencher if you peel them and simply suck the moisture out. These are especially useful at high altitude, because they often grow well above the tree line.
Raw roots contain inulin, a relatively indigestible sugar, so it is best if you cook them. Some varieties will even turn somewhat sugary when cooked.
The seed fluff of many thistles makes a good fire tinder.