A thistle

**meinfs** · 22nd July 08, 12:57 PM

Thistles(?) in bloom in our yard! I think these are thistles. I wonder which variety.

There's more images (not mine) on the web: http://www.acclaimimages.com/search_terms/thistle.html

**ardchoille** · 22nd July 08, 01:15 PM

I have similar looking thistles all over my back yard, but the leaves on mine have thorns on the edges. I've also got scots fir (plant badge of Clan Gregor) growing in my front yard.

**george7** · 22nd July 08, 01:25 PM

It looks like an artichoke, based on how wide each corolla is. They're part of the thistle family.

**meinfs** · 22nd July 08, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by georgeblack7

It looks like an artichoke, based on how wide each corolla is. They're part of the thistle family.

So my housemate tells me that the plant is called a "cardoon" and is related to the artichoke (and the thistle) and is also called "artichoke thistle." The leaves are apparently edible but not the flower. Depending on where you live, it could either be considered desirable or a weed.