Definition

Noun: * A tall Old World biennial thistle: A specific species of thistle plant, characterized by its two-year life cycle, large leaves with white blotches or veins, and purple flower heads. It is native to regions of Europe and Asia but has been introduced and become established in other areas, such as California and South America. It is also known by the common names "milk thistle" and "holy thistle."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was dotted with the distinctive purple blooms of the lady's thistle.
  • Farmers consider the lady's thistle a weed, but herbalists value its properties.
  • A tea can be made from the seeds of the lady's thistle.

Advanced Usage

• In Herbalism: The term "lady's thistle" is often used in contexts related to traditional medicine and herbal supplements, where the plant's seeds are utilized.
  • Extracts from lady's thistle are commonly found in health food stores.

Variants and Related Words

• Milk thistle (n): The most common synonym for "lady's thistle," referring to the same plant species, .
• Holy thistle (n): Another synonym for this plant.
• Thistle (n): The general category of flowering plants characterized by leaves with sharp prickles, to which the lady's thistle belongs.

Synonyms

• Milk thistle
• Holy thistle
• (Scientific name)

Noun

1. tall Old World biennial thistle with large clasping white-blotched leaves and purple flower heads; naturalized in California and South America