blessed thistle

Definitions of blessed thistle

1. noun

   tall Old World biennial thistle with large clasping white-blotched leaves and purple flower heads; naturalized in California and South America
   synonyms: Our Lady's mild thistle, Silybum marianum, holy thistle, lady's thistle, milk thistle

   type of:

   herb, herbaceous plant

   a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
2. noun

   annual of Mediterranean to Portugal having hairy stems and minutely spiny-toothed leaves and large heads of yellow flowers
   synonyms: Cnicus benedictus, sweet sultan

   type of:

   thistle

   any of numerous plants of the family Compositae and especially of the genera Carduus and Cirsium and Onopordum having prickly-edged leaves