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i have read that bull and milk thistles are edible, but milk thistles moreso. can anyone help me identify each as i am now really confused. we have alot of thistles although i want to be sure it going to be worth peeling them.

thx
ben

Isn't the Bull Thistle the purple 'Scotts' thistle? I used to eat the round buds of them when they were still quite small and before they opened into flower; slightly nutty flavour.

The Stalks and Leaves are edible too, but young ones are more palatable.
Treat the heads as you would do with Artichokes.
As for identifying them, if you can't get hold of a feild guide then it's down to good old google for you.

Here's one I found for you

http://www.creapharma.ch/chardon_marie2.jpg

thank you, but it being winter some don't have heads, so i guess i'll wait till spring/summer

Milk thistles have white veins over the leaves - http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_info/Writte ... ianum.html .
They're really good for the liver too - they contain something called 'silymarin' which is a fantastic antioxidant - there's more about that on the link