Perennial Thistle

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

This plant, rare in our flower gardens, surprises with its resistance to drought and frost, can grow on the most ungrateful stony soil, opening its petals in clear weather and hiding its future in cloudy weather and at night. Its thorny leaves resemble a thistle, and the inflorescences retain their beauty even when dry. In addition, Kolyuchnik is also an excellent healer

Rod Kolyuchnik

A couple of dozen perennial herbaceous plants of the genus Carlina choose arid places for their life. They are rarely seen on the fertile lands of river valleys, but among the stones and limestone cliffs they are frequent guests.

The thick rhizome gives life to thorny leaves, collected in a basal dense rosette, effectively spreading on the surface of the earth. Such a rosette will decorate a rocky garden or alpine slide.

The flowers keep on their short peduncles for a long time, slightly resembling the flowers of a thorny tease. The basket inflorescences collected from tubular flowers hide their yellow core from the night darkness and cloudy sky, tightly closing the edge scales.

Varieties

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Thornless (Carlina acaulis) - an inhabitant of mountainous areas with prickly rosettes of leaves, most in demand in cultural floriculture. The bizarre shape of the leaves draws green starfish on the ground, turning into the highlight of the alpine slide. There are always exceptions to any rule. Here is the stemless thistle, contrary to its name, sometimes has a flowering shoot more than 40 cm high, covered with bristly leaves.

Large inflorescences-baskets reach a diameter of 13 cm and are collected from white or reddish flowers, surrounded by marginal white scales, similar to chamomile petals. Long bloom, starting in July, does not lose its decorative effect until the snow itself.

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Thistle acantholus (Carlina acanthifolia) is a thorn bush, ubiquitous in nature, growing up to 60 cm in height, with a basal rosette of thorny leaves and large inflorescences-baskets (up to 15 cm in diameter) with purple flowers. Frequent visitor to rocky gardens.

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Common thistle (Carlina vulgaris) - thorn bush blooming in July with a plant height of 25 cm. It reproduces easily by self-sowing.

Growing

Ascetic plants feel better on a rocky or rocky surface exposed to the sun's rays, although they also tolerate partial shade. They are not afraid of either heat or cold.

Watering is only needed for potted seedlings. In the open field, the thorn bush has enough rain moisture. Good soil drainage is very important for them.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, sowing in spring or autumn. Good soil drainage is important.

In the fall, you can divide the bush by placing the separated parts for rooting in wet peat or sawdust. Rooted plants are planted outdoors in spring.

Diseases and pests

A resistant plant is only afraid of waterlogging, which causes rotting of the root system. Good drainage - reliable protection against decay.

Medicinal abilities

For medicinal purposes, the roots of the plant are often used, harvesting them in late autumn. The aerial parts of the thorn bush also have healing properties.

Used as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, wound healing agent. With chronic bronchitis, tea from the brewed roots helps.

Among the twenty-four (24) herbs, the extracts of which are contained in Bittner's Balm, there is also thorn bush.

In some countries, the root of the thistle is eaten. Its bittersweet taste with almond aroma adds spice to the dishes.