| Gundelia | |
|---|---|
| Gundelia tournefortii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cichorieae |
| Genus: | Gundelia L. |
| Species | |
|
G. rosea |
|
The gundelia is a spiny, thistle-like flowering plant, any of several species of the genus Gundelia, in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), particularly G. tournefortii. It is found in the semi-desert areas of Syria, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Anatolia.
Gundelia tournefortii, garnered media attention in 1998, when its pollen grains were found in abundance on the Shroud of Turin. Serving as a claim in establishing its provenance, it has been suggested that this spiny plant was used for the "crown of thorns" worn by Jesus, though others have suggested Christ's thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi).
The leaves, stems, roots, and undeveloped flower buds of G. tournefortii, colloquially known as tumble thistle, are edible when they first sprout in early spring (February-March).[1][2] The plant becomes progressively drier over the summer, it leaves yellowing and growing spikes.[1] Before dying, it detaches from the root to be pushed around by the wind and disperse its seeds for the following year's harvest.[3] Known as aqub (or akub) in Arabic, [1] Arabs use it for food and healing purposes, and respect and identify with the plant.[3] It is gathered in the wild by Muslim and Christian Palestinians, Druze (Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian), and Sephardic Jews in Israel. Sold in markets in Jerusalem, Syria and Lebanon, it also gathered in the wild in Turkey. Among Arab citizens of Israel in the north of the country, a popular dish using the plant consists of the dethorned heads covered in minced meat and olive oil and fried, and then simmered with lemon juice.[2]