Prickly and undemanding, thistles can reach considerable heights. The largest representative of this large family is a bizarre and at the same time very impressive appearance, which with its many flowers also represents a valuable pasture for bees.
What is the largest thistle in the world?
The largest thistle in the world is the donkey thistle (Onopordum acanthium), which can grow up to 300 centimeters tall. It thrives in the sub-Mediterranean areas of Europe and Asia Minor and is a valuable pasture for bees.
What is the largest thistle in the world?
The most gigantic appearance among the thistles is undoubtedly theDonkey thistle (Onopordum acanthium), which can grow up to 300 centimeters tall. Since she gains a few centimeters of height every day, you can literally watch her grow.
With its rather loose growth and shoots covered in white hairs, it also sets interesting accents in the perennial bed. The spherical, purple-red flowers sit in pretty, silvery leaves.
Where does the largest thistle in the world grow?
The donkey thistle grows wildin the sub-Mediterranean areas of Europe and Asia Minor. As with many plants that specialize in poor soils, the natural populations of the world's largest thistle are also partially endangered.
In contrast, it has been able to spread invasively in the United States and is considered a weed here.
What ecological significance does the donkey thistle have?
For the biologist Ellenberg, who cataloged the donkey thistle, the prickly plant isa very valuable display plant.
She is considered:
- Full light plant,
- Heat indicator,
- Weak acid and weak base indicators,
- good nitrogen indicator,
- Type of heat-requiring thistle communities.
In addition, the flowers of this thistle species are valuable pasture for bees.
Is the world's largest thistle edible?
In principle, the donkey thistle isnot used as food Since it is not poisonous, the flower heads could be prepared and eaten like artichokes in times of emergency. The shoots, which are up to one meter long, can also be used when peeled. They are similar in taste and consistency to asparagus.
The seeds of this thistle contain 25 percent high-quality oil, which is very he althy. This used to be used as lamp oil in the Mediterranean region.
Tip
Donkey thistle causes flatulence in animals
According to the Roman writer Pliny, the insensitive donkeys probably liked to snack on the thorny leaves of the largest thistle in the world. Unfortunately, this food was bad for the animals because they reacted with severe flatulence and stomach pain.
