44 AMERICAN MEDICINAL LEAVES AND HERBS. 
BLESSED THISTLE. 
Cnicus benedictus I.. 
Synonyms.—Centaurea benedicta L..; Carduus benedictus Cam.: Carbenia benedicta 
Adans. 
Other common names.—Holy thistle, St. Benedict's thistle, Our Lady’s thistle, bitter 
thistle, spotted thistle, cursed thistle, blessed cardus, spotted cardus. 
Habitat and range.—The 
blessed thistle is a weed 
which has been introduced 
into this country from 
southern Europe and_ is 
found in waste places and 
stony, uncultivated locali- 
ties from Nova Scotia to 
Maryland and the South- 
ern States; also on the 
Pacific coast. It is culti- 
vated in many parts of 
Europe. 
Description.—In height 
this annual plant of the 
aster family (Asteracez) 
scarcely exceeds 2 feet, 
with coarse erect stems, 
branched and rather 
woolly. The leaves are 
large, 3 to 6 inches long or 
more, oblong lance shaped, 
thin, more or less hairy, 
with margins wavy lobed 
and spiny. The lower 
leaves and those at the 
bottom are narrowed 
toward the base into 
winged stems, while those 
near the top are stemless 
and clasping. 
The yellow flower heads, which appear from about May to August, are situated at 
the ends of the branches, almost hidden by the upper leaves, and are about an inch 
and a half in length. Immediately surrounding the yellow flower heads are scales 
of a leathery texture, tipped with long, hard, branching, yellowish-red spines. 
(Fig. 36.) 
Collection, prices, and uses.—The leafy flowering tops and the other leaves are gath- 
ered preferably just before or during the blossoming period and then are thoroughly 
and quickly dried. In the fresh state the leaves and tops have a rather disagreeable 
odor, which they lose on drying. They are bright green when fresh and grayish green 
and woolly when dry. Collectors receive about 6 to 8 cents a pound. 
The taste of the blessed thistle is very bitter and salty and somewhat acrid. It is 
used principally as a bitter tonic. 
219 
Fic. 36.—Blessed thistle ( Cnicus benedictus), leaves and flowers. 
