marianum

Marianum is a Latin adjectival epithet used in the scientific names of many organisms, most commonly in plants. In botanical Latin, marianum means “of Mary” and is used to honor the Virgin Mary. As a neuter singular form, it agrees with neuter genera such as Silybum, Carduus, or Centaurea. The epithet itself is not a taxon, but a descriptive element within binomial names.

The best-known example is Silybum marianum, commonly called milk thistle. It is a herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to the Mediterranean region and now cultivated and naturalized in many other areas. The plant typically reaches up to about one to one and a half meters in height, with spiny, lobed leaves marked by white veins and heads of purple flowers. It is grown as an ornamental and has a long history of use in herbal remedies.

In medicine and herbalism, the seeds of Silybum marianum yield silymarin, a complex of flavonolignans thought to have hepatoprotective properties. Silymarin and related extracts are marketed as dietary supplements for liver support, though clinical evidence for clear therapeutic benefit varies and is not universally conclusive. As with any supplement, use should be discussed with a healthcare provider, particularly for liver disease or when taking other medications. The epithet marianum thus functions as a traditional honorific embedded in the taxonomy of diverse organisms, most prominently in this well-known milk thistle species.