Bull thistle is a very prickly plant with a spiny-winged stem and large, rose-purple, rayless flower heads surrounded by spiny, yellow-tipped bracts. It flowers between June-September and can be found throughout North America, except the far North.
While in northeast Florida, walking down the historical old brick section of A1A....I came acrossa sandy field covered in Bull Thistle....and to add to the beauty, there were hundreds of butterflys....one of the most beautiful sites I have seen
These two beauties bloom in our neighborhood and woods too in north central Florida. I watch for them each year. Linda J.
ReplyDeleteWe have these also. Butterfly's love them.
ReplyDeleteAs a landscaper I have to say KEEP THEM OUT OF THE GARDEN !!! But they are beautiful and our bees like them. If you snip the young, tender leaves they are good in a salad or boiled like a turnip green or spinach.
ReplyDeleteI stopped in my tracks after I spotted this lovely plant in my NY neighborhood. It was growing in an abandoned lot like a beautiful rose of sorts. Thanks for the post, it was helpful in identifying this strange yet pretty flower.
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