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Yes it is our national flower.

I did not know, at all.
The Welsh have thier leek and you have the thistle, I guess 🙂

ah the Welsh are a funny lot, they have the leek and the daffodil. I think it is the daffy that is their national flower. I am sure their leek is our haggis!

I know that you can prepare the (young) pods like artichokes.
...and probably the root is good for something, too...

Ah yes when young, mind you I have never eaten any,