BULL THISTLE
About Bull Thistle
Many consider this a toxic weed due to its prickly nature. Bring some gloves if you are harvesting.
Primary use
food source
Edible parts
Root, flower buds and young flower stems with prickles removed.
Medicinal
Joint pain,
Foraging Plant information list
This is not a complete list, this is a list of the species I have directly witnessed in my travels here in Northwest Ontario. If you find something before I do, email me and let me know.
Lambs Quarters
Joe Pye Weed
Cattails
Labrador Tea
Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)
Chickweed
Clover (Red)
Clover (White)
Clover (Sweet White)
Fiddleheads
Fireweed
Goldenrod
Bull Thistle
New England Aster
Saskatoon (Service berry)
Blueberry
Pin Cherry
Hazelnuts
Raspberry
Red Currants
Cranberry
Thimble Berry
Cloud Berry
Squashberry (Low bush Cranberry)
Spruce Tips
Birch
Juniper
Willow
Identification
Flowers in its second year, first year is a distinct Rosette of prickly leafs. The solitary flowers produced at the end of a tall central stalk are purple “tufts” at the top of the seed pod.
Where to look
Along roadsides/disturbed areas, they enjoy sun and a multitude of soil types. Driving bush roads where the roadsides are cut back regularly provide great habitat. Field edges, overgrown fields.
