Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Asteraceae / Compositae ⟩ Silybum marianum / milk thistle

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

milk thistle (Asteraceae / Compositae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadStrong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Silybum marianum is a large thistle that usually has distinctively marbled leaves.

Islip (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2017-11-26

 milk thistle / Silybum marianum: _Silybum marianum_ is a large thistle that usually has distinctively marbled leaves.

The outer phyllaries of Silybum marianum have a long and rigid spine.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2019-05-14

 milk thistle / Silybum marianum: The outer phyllaries of _Silybum marianum_ have a long and rigid spine.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne