Bull thistle (cirsium vulgare)

[Mousetoescamper]

A thorny subject? Despite its reputation as an invasive weed, the thistle provides nectar for honeybees and seeds for goldfinches. It also serves as a host plant for the painted lady butterfly and as a source of nectar for monarch butterflies. This particular plant is among the wildflower plantings at a local wetlands project I visited twice today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. And it's gorgeous! It reminds me of the artichoke flower that I posted. Thanks for sharing! nt

[Mousetoescamper]

2. Thanks and you're welcome!

[mopinko]

3. i love thistles.

i have a lot of creeping thistle. i cant bring myself to wipe them out. i keep them in check, but my pollinators love them.
lovely as a cut flower, too. the creepers have much smaller needles.