This plant is normally about 5-6 ft tall at this time of year but for some reason it has just recently decided to grow. Although it is a weed in my eyes I really like the colour of the leaves and leave it to its own devices.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a perennial believed to have medicinal properties. The seeds contain silymarin, a group of compounds said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Milk thistle is commonly used as a home remedy to treat liver problems, often under the presumption that it will "detoxify" the liver.
