I?ve always enjoyed seeing this attractive spring plant. Supposed to be an invasive species, but it never bothered me. I?ve eaten it raw and cooked, and it tastes similar to spinach. The real difficulty is not that evident in the photo, but each point on the leaves has a spine on the tip, and you have to trim these away with scissors. Been there, done that. Too much work. Now I just look.

Art

 

 

Found this about it on EdibleWildFoods.

 

For over 2,000 years people around the world have enjoyed milk thistle in their diet. Just about all parts of the plant have been used as food with no reports of toxicity. Although it can be used as food, milk thistle is better known as having medicinal benefits. It is a great tonic, increases appetite and aids in digestion. It is used by many people, including those who were addicted to alcohol to cleanse the liver. Milk thistle is used internally in the treatment of liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis and poisoning (including mushroom poisoning).