The thistle has been the national emblem of Scotland since the reign of Alexander III ( 1249-1286 ) and was used on silver coins issued by James III in 1470 .
Genera in the Asteraceae with the word thistle often used in their common names include : Plants in families other than Asteraceae which are sometimes called thistle include : The thistle has been the national emblem of Scotland since the reign of Alexander III ( 1249-1286 ) and was used on silver coins issued by James III in 1470 .