Quercus

Blessed Milk-thistle

Silybum marianum

Not native to South Carolina

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including SC

Genus host records with ranges including SC · Silybum

  • Platyptilia carduidactylusArtichoke Plume Moth
  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady, American Painted Lady
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
4BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Silybum

  • Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail
  • Haemorhous mexicanusHouse Finch
  • Melozone crissalisCalifornia Towhee
  • Pheucticus melanocephalusBlack-headed Grosbeak
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Blessed Milk thistle

Conservation status

South Carolina rankNot available
Global rankGNR
SC statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources