"Bull Thistle" (Cirsium vulgare).
2007 July 7
2007 July 20
2007 July 30
2007 August 9
2008 January 17These thistles are biennial plants ... but seeds will lay dormant for years in the soil until conditions suit! One should cut them down before the flower heads turn purple ... if one waits too late they must collect those flower heads and bag them, for the seeds will continue to mature even after cutting! (Like a few other pesky flowers I know!)
"Canada Thistle" (Cirsium arvense)
... these grow in abundance, especially near the lakes and by streams, for they like their soil moist!
... these grow in abundance, especially near the lakes and by streams, for they like their soil moist!
2007 July 20
2007 July 20
2007 July 20
2007 August 7
2007 August 7This plant is a perennial ... reproducing not only from seed but by creeping rhizomes. It is very difficult to eradicate ... one has to get the root/rhizome ... ALL of it ... almost impossible. None the less, I'm told that peeled stems and roots of most thistles are edible ... if you can get past the thorns ... so next time you are set adrift in the wilderness ... know that this plant, and its cousins, then become your friend!
Even though this plant is called "Canada Thistle", it is not indigenous to this country and is thought to have been introduced to North America in the 17th century by early colonists.
1 comment:
I really love thistles! I have had just one grow by my house the last couple of years and love taking pictures of the butterflies on it! I'm enjoying looking through all this plant information. Great site!
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