Borriquero thistle, a very interesting wild plant

It is a common wild plant in the fields of Europe and Russia, where it grows on both sides of roads and in open fields. Because of its thorns, very few people would like to have it in their garden; however, its incredible inflorescence is very decorative, and has interesting properties that cannot be ignored.

His scientific name is Onopordum acanthusalthough you probably know him better by his popular name: borriquero thistle.

Origin and characteristics of the borriquero thistle

This is a plant that is also called Artichoke borriquera, Manto de Judas or Toba. It is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae botanical family that has managed to become naturalized in all temperate and warm regions of the world. It is native to Western Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.

We can find it near waterways, on roadsides and highways, in vacant or cultivated land, … anywhere !, even from sea level to about 2000 meters of altitude. It is a very adaptable and resistant plant, reasons that make it an interesting species.

Its life cycle is annual or biennial, depending on the climate, so its growth rate is very fast. It can reach a height of 2 meterswith slightly branched greyish-white or greyish-greenish stems, covered with unicellular hairs.

The leaves are a bit fleshy, measuring about 35cm by 17cm. The flowers, which sprout during the summer, appear grouped in inflorescences in the form of a chapter.

Uses and properties

Although it is a plant that, normally, you would not have in gardens or in pots, and that in fact it is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world such as the United States, New Zealand and Australia, the truth is that it has very interesting medicinal properties.

Thus, the leaves, roots and stems can be used to combat liver diseases and problems; and the fruits, as they contain histamine and thyroidine, are a good remedy to control pressure for those who have it low.

Borriquero thistle is a herb that does not require any type of maintenance, and that can give color to our precious garden, in addition to helping us with some health problems. Go ahead and reserve a place for him in your private paradise, surely you will not regret it 😉.

What are the care that the borriquero thistle requires?

Although it is true that it is an herb and that, like most herbaceous plants, it is not usually wanted in gardens or in pots, as it has such beautiful inflorescences and is useful so that we can enjoy better health. I think it is very interesting to grow it, as long as we do not live in a country where it is considered an invasive species.

Bearing this in mind, if you dare to grow borriquero thistle, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

It is a plant that has to be located outside, in full sun. It cannot grow in semi-shade, much less in shade.

Indoors it does not go well either, as the light that enters is usually insufficient for it.

Earth

• Flower pot: can be filled with universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
• the garden: grows in all types of soils, although it will develop better in those that have good drainage.

Irrigation

Resists drought well, but It is advisable to water it an average of 3 times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year. In the event that you have it in a pot, do not put a plate under it since the water that remains stagnant in said plate could rot its root system, and if that happens, the plant would die.

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Being an edible and medicinal plant, we recommend the use of organic fertilizersLike guano which is very rich in nutrients, mulch, compost or herbivorous animal manure.

Just keep in mind that if you use liquid fertilizers it is very, very important that you follow the instructions specified on the package, otherwise the roots could be damaged by overdose.

Pruning

Don’t need italthough you can remove the dry, diseased or weak leaves, as well as the withered flowers.

Multiplication

The borriquero thistle multiplies by seeds in spring. For this, they have to be sown in individual pots with universal substrate, burying them a little, and finally placing the seedbed outside, in full sun.

In a matter of a few days they will begin to germinate.

Planting or transplanting time

Whether you want to plant it in the garden or change to a larger pot, you have to do it in spring when the risk of frost has passed.

Rusticity

Resists cold and frost down to -7ºCbut you have to bear in mind that after flowering it will dry out.

What did you think of the borriquero thistle?