Wild One Cyprus

foraging food

Oyster plant

Χρυσάνγκαθο

şevketi bostan

Scientific Name: Scolymus hispanicus, Scolymus maculatus

other names: Spanish Oyster Thistle, ασκόλυμπρος

AVAILABLE: JAN-APR

EDIBLE PARTS:

Description

Scolymus hispanicus have ovateegg-shaped, narrow at base, odd pinnateleaflets in rows, one at tip hairy leaves, with a dentatewith symmetrical teeth, spinywith sharp stiff points margin. The flowers are daisy-like.
Scolymus maculatus have ovateegg-shaped, narrow at base, odd pinnateleaflets in rows, one at tip leaves, mostly 9–14 cm long, with a dentatewith symmetrical teeth spinywith sharp stiff points margin and a white vein all around their outline. The flowers are dandelion-like.

preparation

pick tender stem and leaves, steam or boil
peel the skin and spines and eat raw
steam or boil, serve with olive oil & lemon

extra info

Scolymus hispanicus
Leaves are thinner with thinner white veins. Less spiny leaves grow down the stem. Grows up to 60cm.

Scolymus maculatus
Leaves are thicker with conspicuously thickened white margins and veins. Leaflets with spines grow along the vertical veins of the stem. Grows up to 2 metres.