Description
Latin Name: Silybum marianum. Days to Maturity: 120. About the Plant: Biennial. Large plant with shiny, spined leaves mottled with white. Outstanding, solitary, 2″ purple flowers. All parts are edible. Medicinal: The active component, silymarin, is found in the seeds and is known for its liver rebuilding properties. Young plants can be picked for salads or steaming, but the spines need to be removed. The seeds are harvested in the fall from the drying flower heads on the plant.
