Scolymus hispanicus

Scolymus hispanicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Cichorieae
Genus:	Scolymus
Species:	S. hispanicus
Binomial name
Scolymus hispanicus L.

Scolymus hispanicus (Common Golden Thistle or Spanish Oyster Thistle) is a flowering plant in the genus Scolymus in the family Asteraceae, native to southern and western Europe, north to northwestern France.

It is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant growing to 80 cm tall, with spiny stems and leaves. The flowerheads are bright yellow to orange-yellow, 2–3 cm diameter

Uses

Since at least the time of Theophrastus in ancient Greece, this plant has been known for medicinal and culinary uses. Although it has been cultivated at times, currently most of the plant which is consumed comes from harvesting of wild plant. Very popular in almost every province of Spain, where it´s usually eaten in stews during Spring time. It´s also used in salads, soups and with scrambled eggs in Andalusia, Spain, where it is called "tagarnina". In the sixteenth century in Salamanca, the washed young plants used to be eaten with their root, either raw or in stews with meat.

Gallery

• 
  Spanish oyster flower
• 
  Scrambled eggs with spanish oyster and bread
• 
  Spanish oyster harvested for cooking

References

• Flora Europaea: Scolymus hispanicus

External links

• Scolymus hispanicus Flowers in Israel