Cabbage Thistle, Cirsium oleraceum

Cirsium oleraceum. Also known as the cabbage thistle, and once a common sight in our ancestors' vegetable patches. A hardy perennial growing to 1.2 metres. Flowers in July to September. Moist to wet, neutral to alkaline soil. Partial to full shade. Attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and beetles. Priced for a 1 litre pot

Use: the young leaves are cooked an eaten as a vegetable. The roots can be cooked an eaten too. A good source of inulin.