Coral Beach Photo
Spear thistle
Its 'proper' name is cirsium vulgare and it is up to a metre high. Those along the edge of the coral beach are slightly stunted.The stems are cottony, winged and spiny between the leaves. The flower heads comprise purple florets topping a ball of spiny bracts. It is seen between July and September.
© Carol Walker and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Taken at: Coral Beach, North Scotland
Date taken / added: 17th Jul 2009