Milkweed & Milk Thistle

The words "milkweed" and "milk thistle" are often used interchangeably by those who do not study plants. They are, in fact, two very different plants. Milkweed is a brightly flowering plant that attracts a plethora of fauna, whereas milk thistle is an invasive weed that can take over poorly tended fields and roadsides and has become a nuisance in the western regions of North America.

Milkweed usually grows to about 2 feet tall. It has large, bright clusters of flowers on the tops of its stems. The leaves alternate from side to side and are usually between 1 and 2 inches long.

The main stem of a milk thistle is stout and ridged and can grow to over 6 feet tall. Large, broad leaves protrude from either side of the main stem, with branching shoots jutting out as well. The top of a milk thistle is crowned with a large purple flower head that is surrounded by ridged sharp bracts.

Very little water is required to properly grow milkweed. It thrives in well-drained, sandy soils in full to partial sun. Milkweed is very drought-resistant and prefers dry or slightly moist soils.

Milk thistle is usually found in untended or poorly managed fields. It requires nutrient-rich soil but can withstand long periods without water. Milk thistle can grow in full sun to partial shade, but some direct light is required for growth.

Young milk thistles are most susceptible to control methods. Mechanical removal, such as using a shovel, will only prolong the life of the plant, because the seeds can stay viable for years. Herbicides applied at an early stage of growth have proven effective, as has allowing grazing animals to feed on the young plants. There have been certain breeds of weevils released in problem areas to help control the milk thistle population, because these weevils eat the seed tissue of the thistle.

Mature milk thistle can be dangerous and deadly to grazing animals, because it is a nitrate accumulator. Milk thistle can be beneficial, though, having been used as a liver medication as far back as 23 AD. Milk thistle has been proven to positively affect all forms of liver disease. There is a highly beneficial chemical, silymarin, contained within milk thistle that is composed of three beneficial flavonoids.

When used ornamentally, milkweed makes a beautiful addition to a garden or yard. Milkweed also has a number of medicinal uses; a tea made from its roots is used to treat diarrhea, and chewing fresh roots is a treatment for bronchitis. Also, the plant attracts hummingbirds, monarch butterflies and a number of other beautiful garden creatures. One thing to be aware of, though, is that milkweed can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.