The fourth Wednesday of each month is
Wildflower Wednesday!
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| Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, May 13, 2018 |
Thistle is the common name of a group of plants with sharp prickles on their leaves. This is
Cirsium vulgare commonly called Bull Thistle or Spear Thistle, and it is widespread across North America
Though they are considered invasive weeds in pastures, they do provide nectar for bees and butterflies. And their seeds are favorites of Goldfinches, who also use the soft fibers of the spent flowers to line their nests. Note: Niger seeds that you buy for your bird feeders are not Thistle seeds. Niger is an entirely different plant
The Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. As the tale is told, in 1263 a barefoot soldier from an invading army stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, thus alerting the Scottish army that the enemy was near.
Hope you are having a great week!
For more wildflowers, visit Clay and Limestone:
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NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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I often see pollinators on the thistle that grows in the vacant lots and along the road side. Definitely an important nectar source for them. I read somewhere that the native thistles are more often visited by migrating monarchs than any other plant in some regions of the country.
ReplyDelete...pretty to see, but not touch.
ReplyDeleteHello, it is pretty. Love the closeup! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThey look quite hardy.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to have had a tall thistle, a U.S. native, and not invasive volunteer in the yard last season. I am seeing volunteers in different areas, some where there is not room for them. I read that they are biennials, so they won't be blooming this year. That bull thistle sure is pretty, but I agree one would not want to touch it. Thanks for visiting my WW post.
ReplyDeleteThese are in the pastures EVERYWHERE around here and I have often wondered their name. Occasionally, I find small sprouts in my flowerbed but they are quickly removed. As a child I have stepped on many of them barefooted and they do hurt! They are lovely to see and I enjoy their blooms in the fields from a safe distance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Jeannie@GetMetoTheCountry