Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner      Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)      Mediterranean Region   Milk Thistle

                                          March Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Erect, branched annual or biennial herb, 1-2 m. tall; lvs. 3-7 dm. wide, with clasping bases and wavy or lobed margins bearing many yellow prickles; upper lf.-surface +/- mottled with white blotches; heads large, solitary, terminal, nodding, 2.5-5 cm. broad; fls. tubular, purple; invol. broadly sub-globose; phyllaries leathery, the spine 1-2 cm. long, or outer phyllaries mucronate; aks. glabrous, ca. 6 mm. long, spotted brown, shining white.

Habitat:  Common weed in cismontane pasture and waste places, especially in heavy soil; Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz Ids.  May-July.

Name:  Latin, silybum, a kind of thistle with edible stems and New Latin, marianus, Mary, Virgin mother of Jesus.  (Jaeger 150,238).

General:  Uncommon in the study area having been found only three times, first along the road between the Newporter Inn and the intersection of Back Bay Dr. with San Joaquin Hills Rd.  where the plant was seen in the same location for two seasons, 1986 and 1987; and later, in 1991, it was found on Northstar Beach; in 1998 I found a very large plant in upper Big Canyon, almost 2 meters tall. (my comments).     The plant flavors milk when eaten by cows.  (Dale 73).     Once in the Old World, it was thought that the white marks on the leaves resulted from drops of milk that fell from the Virgin's breast as she nursed the infant Jesus, hence the species name, marianum, meaning of Mary.  (Dale 73).     All thistles that are large enough to gather are edible.  They are boiled until tender and eaten like an artichoke.  The young leaves, stalks and roots can be soaked overnight in salted water and then cooked and eaten.  The thistle heads are best when picked just at the height of flowering, boiled, and the heart dissected out.  (Clarke 221).      S. marianum has been known to accumulate free nitrates in quantities capable of causing death or distress in cattle.  (Fuller 384).      Milk Thistle, in the form of Silymarin complex, is widely used in Europe, clinically, experimentally, pharmaceutically, and over-the-counter for self medication.  Its present role as an accepted liver protectant and immunologic support is quite recent, and the monographs and drug brochures from there talk about its "new" uses.  In actuality, a monograph by a Dr. Lobach in the American Journal of Medical Science, April 1859, relates its successful use in hemorrhagic blood disorders resulting from liver and spleen disease, as well as its beneficial effects on liver congestion and portal hypertension.  (Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West, 77).           Acetly-L-carnitine was used in a study of Alzheimer’s patients in Italy.  Those taking acetly-L-carnitine had better logical intelligence verbal critical abilities, long term verbal memory and selective attention.  What make the study so interesting is the fact that acetyl-L-carnitine  is  produced  by  all  human  cells.   Apparently,  Alzheimer’s  patients  don’t  produce adequate amounts. Degeneration of the liver disrupts many vital functions including the conversion of the amino acid lysine.  Fortunately, a natural extract from the seeds of the milk thistle plant have the ability to trigger the regeneration of liver cells.  A 70-percent extract of the herb Silybum marianum  known as silymarin, appears to be most effective.  Recommended dosages range from 150 mg to 300 mg taken three times daily.  No toxicity problems and only temporary side effects have been reported.  Improved liver function often occurs in as little as two weeks and restoration of full enzyme activity may occur in the first 30 days.   If liver function is normal, Alzheimer’s patients can often increase acetyl-L-carnitine levels by including more lysine in the diet.   (Williams, David G. “The Alzheimer’s Answer”  ALTERNATIVES , for the Health Conscious Individual  Special Issue, no publication date given but it was in early 2000.        Two species of the Old World.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 227).       Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental; seeds used as coffee substitute.  (Hickman, Ed. 342).   

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 342; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 227; Roberts 13.

Photo Ref:  Mar 2 86 # 10; April-May 86 # 18,19.  

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 193.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 10/21/02

                                            May Photo