Thistle Bud

Cynaroidia Glauca,https://www.pandorapedia.com/flora/herbaceous/cynaroidia_glauca.html or thistle bud , is a large herb from the same genus as the hermit bud and lionberry. 
Similar to the other plants of the genus, it grows large clusters of flowers, which makes the appearance of a single bud. The weedy nature of the genus led to studies being conducted on Earth to determine its genetic origin.
The glands on the leaves are composed of large hairs, or trichomes, that contain toxins. These lead to dermatitis on contact with human or Na'vi skin. Because of this, the Na'vi are careful to avoid stepping on the leaves that grow out just above ground level. The hairs can get lodged in the skin, releasing the toxins and causing unbearable itching.
==Uses==
The seeds of the plant are an important staple of the Na'vi diet. They need to be harvested carefully, to avoid the toxin glands. The harvesters need to wait until the seeds are mature, and then whack the stem below the inflourescence with a stick, causing it to fall to the ground. The seeds can then be collected easily, though any nearby animals will often compete for the seeds.
The thistle bud is also used to make vegan creamy plant milk, according to the filename of the icon used for the ingredient in the Hunter's Guide for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
==Etymology==
Named for resemblance to the Artichoke Thistle on Earth, and the chalky appearance of the plant. The Na'vi name comes from the glands on the leaves that contain a substance that causes a skin rash on contact.
==Trivia==
* In James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, they have a slightly different bioluminescence coloring compared to Avatar: Reckoning.
== Sources ==
* Hunter's Guide in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
* Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — So'lek's Journey issue #3, page 3
==References==
de:Distelknospe
ru:Чертополох
pl:Ostropąk
Category:Flora
Category:Avatar
Category:Avatar: The Game
Category:Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Category:Na’vi diet