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What's this spiky fella?

llew

By Llew

Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Found this in the bit of ground where I previously found the honesty. There's 2 or 3 of them and this one is about 4 foot tall. Some sort of thistle I know, but what sort?
Is it worth digging up and transplanting into the garden or is it a weed.
It's so architectural I really like it.




Answers

 

looks a bit like either red star thistle - Centaurea calcitrapa or milk thistle- Silybum marianum

fab names silybum hehe

thats my thoughts anyways

x x x

very prretty ive always liked thistles my mum has a fairy poem book and faourite picture was the thistle fairy

10 Jun, 2009

 

it is a british native but cant remember its name. it is common on rough pasture. if you like it it isnt a weed.

10 Jun, 2009

 

Hmmmmm, I might dig it up in the autumn then, 'cause I do like it. I'll see what the flowers are like. :o)

10 Jun, 2009

 

they are a mid sized purple thistle. i'll look it up in my wildflower books in my lunch hour tomorrow.
the goldfinches love the seeds. wind dispersed so will sow all over. so problem problem.

10 Jun, 2009

 

Thanks, hun.

10 Jun, 2009

 

it is fantastic, times like this I am in completewonder with how nature grows

if that makes sense

x x x

11 Jun, 2009

 

sure does and still keeps doing it to me/for me.

11 Jun, 2009

 

try Crisium vulgare, spike thistle.
google its image and see if its a match llew.

11 Jun, 2009

 

ive found similar but Cirsium vulgare- spear thistle!! but my book is printed in 1974 so probably out of date

hehehe

x x x

11 Jun, 2009

 

as it is a wild flower the book wont be out of date. have you noticed the spider in the top corner of the spear?

11 Jun, 2009

 

red one... its a bloomin good picture Llew,
x x x

11 Jun, 2009

 

Thanks, girls. I think that might be it. I googled for pics and some don't look anything like it, (they didn't seem as bushy) but some are identical. :o) I'll keep checking for the flowers.
As it's a biennial, I may not bother doing anything with it but I thought one might look good right at the back of the bed.

Lovely little spider isn't he? I thought I'd let him have his 5 mins of fame, lol.

11 Jun, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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