Maurice Godefridi

· 27 Jul 2020

Follow Following

Gold thistle, le baromètre.

Thistles are clearly less appreciated plants. Pickly, proliferating, little useful and some even prohibited by law. Yet there are those who deserve some appreciation and have even begun a small advance. Think of the Milk Thistle as a liver-regenerating plant, Artichoke as a vegetable but also the Gold Thistle can be appreciated and admired as far as I'm concerned.

Naming Carlina, Gold Thistle, Baromètre
The name Carlina probably originates from the Italian cardina, from cardo, thistle and Carlo, Charles, without doubt influenced by the legend, where an angel to Emperor Charles pointed this thistle as a remedy for the plague.
In the genus Carlina we find in addition to Carlina acanthifolia, Gold Thistle also Carlina acaulis, Silver Thistle and Carlina vulgaris, Threedistle. French names are Carline à feuilles d'acanthe, cardabelle and baromètre. What refers to the opening and closing of the flower at a difference in humidity. The flower was therefore used as a barometer and even nailed to the shed gates not only to predict the weather but also to keep the evil spirits out. #distel #gouddistel