thistle

Everyday

A thistle is a wild plant with prickly leaves and stems and a round purple (sometimes yellow or white) flower head; its seeds float on fluffy down. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons, thistles show how plants protect themselves with prickles and spread seeds by the wind. In history and culture, the thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. Butterflies and goldfinches love thistles. Phrases: «thistle down», «the Scottish thistle», «prickly as a thistle».

Examples

• I stung my hand on a prickly thistle. tree →
• The thistle is the symbol of Scotland. tree →
• Goldfinches eat thistle seeds. tree →
• Thistle down floated across the field. tree →
• Butterflies landed on the purple thistles. tree →
• Donkeys will sometimes eat thistles. tree →

Note

Spelling: silent t in the middle — «thistle», said «THISS-ul». Countable.

In Jewish tradition

Thistles and thorns are part of the curse on the ground after Adam's sin, making farming hard.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as the start of human toil: bread now comes only by sweat and hard work.

Examples

• Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. (Torah GEN.3.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and noisome weeds instead of barley. (Writings JOB.31.40, JPS 1917) tree →
• And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles, the face thereof was covered with nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. (Writings PRO.24.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and thistles in the fortresses thereof; and it shall be a habitation of wild-dogs, an enclosure for ostriches. (Prophets ISA.34.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: silent t in the middle — «thistle», said «THISS-ul». Countable.