User:RWalen/sandbox

The distaff thistle, Atractylis gummifera, is a thistle in the Atractylis genus. It is native to the Mediterranean basin. It is a perennial herb producing a stemless, pinkish flower. The plant has a history of use in folk medicine, but it is very toxic due to the presence of atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside. In Morocco, it is a common cause of potentially severe poisoning, with children being especially vulnerable. Accidental ingestion of the plant can be due to confusion with the artichoke thistle, or due to use of its gummy discharge as a chewing gum.