Cnicus benedictus

A curious and handsome plant with a long history as a medicinal herb that dates back to the Middle Ages. It has long, quite slender jagged leaves with spines and hairs and almost glistens in the sunshine. The flowers are impressive; like a cross between a dandelion and a sunflower they have masses of slender, shiny yellow petals and a huge yellow heart, packed full of stamens. The flowers open from bristled bracts that are intriguing in appearance. It flowers for some weeks in summer. The flowers are followed by small brown fruits. It originated in the Mediterranean but is widely naturalized. The plant is still grown commercially for its medicinal properties. It is used to aid digestion and treats a range of problems including diarrhoea and colic. It can cause problems if taken in excess and is best grown solely for its ornamental properties.