Edible thistle

''Cirsium edule'', the edible thistle, is a species of thistle in the genus ''Cirsium'', native to western North America from southeastern Alaska south through British Columbia to Washington and Oregon, and locally inland to Idaho.

''Cirsium edule'' is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, reaching 1-2 m in height. The leaves are very spiny, lobed, 10-30 cm long and 2-5 cm broad . The inflorescence is 3-4 cm diameter, purple, with numerous disc florets but no ray florets. The achenes.. more