blessed thistle meaning and definition

BLESSED THISTLE noun

Definition of blessed thistle (noun)

1. tall Old World biennial thistle with large clasping white-blotched leaves and purple flower heads; naturalized in California and South America
   • synonyms: holy thistle, lady's thistle, milk thistle, Our Lady's mild thistle, Silybum marianum
2. annual of Mediterranean to Portugal having hairy stems and minutely spiny-toothed leaves and large heads of yellow flowers
   • synonyms: Cnicus benedictus, sweet sultan