Donkey thistle - Onopordon acanthium
The donkey thistle is floral, biennial plant with rough and prickly leaves and characteristic wiry stalks.
The flowers are in the form of red umbels on the top of branches. The plant germinates in autumn after the first rains, while it blooms in summer having dark pink flowers. This plant thrives in areas where the summers are dry; it grows like weed in abandoned places, along roads and fields and up to 2,000 meters altitude. The donkey thistle has medicinal properties, mostly used in diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, improves the function of the gallbladder and liver and strengthens the glands. For this purpose flowers and leaves of the plant are used. The donkey thistle is still used for purification of blood fat, to treat skin cancer and wounds that heal hard.
Expert report on natural landmarks in the municipality of Novaci
Prepared by: Bozidar Boshkovski