Aug 3, 2020
Plant of the Day
Monday 3 August 2020
The biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial Scolymus hispanicus (common golden thistle, Spanish oyster thistle) grows over Southern Europe in uncultivated agricultural fields and roadsides. It is foraged as both a food and medicinal plant. Prior to cooking, the plant's spiny leaves are stripped and the roots cleaned. The plant is added to stews, roasted or used in soups, salads and egg dishes. The root has been used as a coffee substitute and its flowers as a colouring substitute for saffron.
Jill Raggett
