Cirsium serratuloides
Hill
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(c) ranchich_mila, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) B.Byambajav, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
A perennial thistle reaching 1.2 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers blooming July to October and seeds maturing through October. Pollinated by bees, flies, moths, butterflies, and beetles; self-fertile. Thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to basic pH ranges. Requires full sun and prefers moist conditions.
Description
A herb. It is a thistle. It grows 1.2 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are 10-15 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The upper leaves are smaller.
Edible Uses
The root is edible cooked and is likely to be rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. This starch passes straight through the digestive system and, in some people, ferments to produce flatulence.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes and beside rivers between 1,200-2,600 m above sea level in western China.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia,
Propagation
Sow seed in early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2–8 weeks at 20°C. Can also be propagated by division in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
The seed, as with all thistle species, yields a good oil by expression. No details of potential yields are given.
Notes
There are about 150-250 Cirsium species. They grow in temperate regions.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 205 (As Cnicus serratuloides)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 199-230).
