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|image_caption=Milk thistle
|image_caption=Milk thistle
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'''''Silybum marianum''''' is a [[milk thistle]], is an [[annual plant|annual]] or [[biennual]] plant of the [[Asteraceae]] family. This fairly typical [[thistle]] has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins. Originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia, it is now found throughout the world. The medicinal parts of the plant are the ripe seeds.
'''''Silybum marianum''''' is a [[milk thistle]], is an [[annual plant|annual]] or [[biennial]] plant of the [[Asteraceae]] family. This fairly typical [[thistle]] has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins. Originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia, it is now found throughout the world. The medicinal parts of the plant are the ripe seeds.
[[Common name]]s for this species include '''blessed milk thistle''', '''Marian Thistle''', '''Mary Thistle''', '''St Mary's Thistle''', '''Mediterranean Milk Thistle''' and '''Variegated Thistle'''.
[[Common name]]s for this species include '''blessed milk thistle''', '''Marian Thistle''', '''Mary Thistle''', '''St Mary's Thistle''', '''Mediterranean Milk Thistle''' and '''Variegated Thistle'''.
It grows 40 to 100 cm tall. The stem is grooved and more or less cottony.
It grows 40 to 100 cm tall. The stem is grooved and more or less cottony.
The leaves are oblong to lanceolate. They are either wavy loved or pinnated, have spiny edges. They are hairless, shiny green, with milk white veins.
The leaves are oblong to lanceolate. They are either wavy loved or pinnated, have spiny edges. They are hairless, shiny green, with milk white veins.
The flower heads are 4 to 5 cm long and wide, of red-purple colour. They flower from June to August.
The flower heads are 4 to 5 cm long and wide, of red-purple colour. They flower from June to August.
The [[bract]]s are hairless, with triangular, spine-edged appendages, tipped with a stout yellow spine.
The [[bract]]s are hairless, with triangular, spine-edged appendages, tipped with a stout yellow spine.