62 Popular Studies of California Wild Flowers 



Certain varieties of Thistles, long cultivated in the gardens of 

 Mediterranean regions, have emigrated to this country and now 

 occupy vacant lots in our cities to the exclusion of all other vegetation. 

 They spread rapidly and are considered among our worst weeds. 

 One of these is the Milk Thistle, Silybnm marianum, which was 

 introduced to San Francisco, about 1853, from southern Europe, 

 where it was cultivated for its roots, which were used like Salsify 

 or "vegetable oysters," and the leaves for salads or pot herbs. It 

 is this plant which has a pretty legend concerning it. On the jour- 

 ney to Egypt, we are told, when the holy family were fleeing from 

 Herod, the Virgin Mary stopped to nurse the Infant. Growing all 

 around were thistles with large green leaves and purple blossoms 

 (the one called Silybum marianum after the Virgin). Some drops 

 of milk fell on the leaves, spotting them white. For this honor, all 

 of the plants of this thistle afterwards appeared with white-blotched 

 leaves. 



Others there are, of these weedy pests, which are of interest 

 because of the history connected with their names. Such an one, 

 known as the "Napa Thistle," C: melitensis, with spiny yellow 

 flowers, is abundant everywhere in the State. The Spanish people 

 called this thistle "Tocalote." It is sometimes called the "Star 

 Thistle," although there are two others which are also popularly 

 known by that name. These belong to the genus Centaur ea, being 

 named for one of the centaurs of Grecian mythology who was said 

 to have used it for healing purposes. The specific name melitensis 

 might naturally be thought to allude to its militant appearance 

 and treatment of those unfortunate enough to handle it. It is well 

 able to protect itself. However, this is not the case, for the name 

 means "Maltese." The popular name, "Star Thistle," has also 

 been handed down from the dark days of the -Middle Ages, when 

 it was likened to a popular weapon known as a "Morning Star," 

 which was a war club of sharp spikes set in a metal ball, mounted 

 on a long handle and well calculated to make one "see stars." 



Some legends go back to the days of the Picts in order to trace 

 the origin of the adoption of the Thistle by the Scots as a national 

 emblem ; but it is about the middle of the fifteenth century that it 

 was first used as a symbol and placed on the banner of Scotland. 

 The principal legend places the time of its adoption about the year 

 1263. Since that time, "Ye maunt med'le wi me!" is a favorite 

 saying with the Scotch when they see their national flower. When 

 the Danes were at war with'the Scots, an army of Norsemen landed 

 on the shores of Scotland. Finding that the Scots were encamped 

 at a little distance, they resolved to surprise them. Stealthily ad- 

 vancing upon their enemies' camp during the night, they nearly 

 effected their purpose, and victory seemed already within their grasp, 

 when one of the barefooted soldiers stepped upon a thistle. He was 

 unable to suppress a cry of pain. This aroused the Scots, who, worn 

 with fatigue, were asleep. They flew to arms and routed their 

 enemy. In gratitude to the plant that guarded their sleeping camp, 

 it was chosen to be the emblem of Scotland. This thistle may some- 

 times be found beside the road in California, it is said, where per- 



