On Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:12:12 +0000, Danny D. wrote:

Apparently I can eat the stems

This says we can eat the roots, but, they contain "inulin", which
is apparently a non-digestible starch.
http://montana.plant-life.org/species/cirsium_vulga.htm

It also says the flower buds, young flowers, stems, and leaves
can be eaten. Even the seeds can be eaten, roasted on a grill.

This one says the inner bark can be used to make paper:
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?...irsium+vulgare

This one says the flower base can be eaten like an artichoke:
http://www.survival.org.au/bf_cirsium.php

This one says the purple flower petals can be used as chewing
gum and the seeds can be used to make a light oil:
http://www.survivalplantsmemorycours...-prickly-vase/

For the Scots out there, it's the national emblem of Scotland
(because a barefoot invading Viking stepped on one, alerting
them to the attack).