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Spear Thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Description:

Spear Thistle is often a ruderal species, colonising bare disturbed ground, but also persists well on heavily grazed land as it is unpalatable to most grazing animals. The flowers are a rich nectar source used by numerous pollinating insects, including Honey bees, Wool-carder bees, and many butterflies. The seeds are eaten by Goldfinches, Linnets and Greenfinches. The seeds are dispersed by wind, and possibly also by ants; they do not show significant long-term dormancy, most germinating soon after dispersal and only a few lasting up to four years in the soil seed bank. Seed is also often spread by human activity such as hay bales.

Habitat:

Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle) is a species of the genus Cirsium, native throughout most of Europe (north to 66°N, locally 68°N), western Asia (east to the Yenisei Valley), and northwestern Africa (Atlas Mountains). It is also naturalised in North America and Australia and is as an invasive weed in some areas.

Notes:

What strikes me most in this flower is its mathematical structure. Every details seems to follow some kind of algorithm.

No species ID suggestions

24 Comments

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

Sure, you'll find me as @sttweets, just like on ProjectNoah

Tweact
Tweact a year ago

Can I DM you on Twitter?

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

@tweact, are you serious? I can send a high-res version if you give me your e-mailadress.

Tweact
Tweact a year ago

Would make a lovely seventies wallpaper.

Tweact
Tweact a year ago

Nice pattern. This photo shows we have to watch nature a lot closer.

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

Thanks!

Greeneda
Greeneda a year ago

spectacular shot!

floris.terlouw
floris.terlouw a year ago

so rhythmic, beautiful

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

An offer hard to resist sttweets! I will email you and see how it goes.

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

Amsterdam (as most cities) is always good. For nature (besides parks) you'll have to get out of town. But, small as Holland is, you never have to travel far.
Maybe we can meet and I'll show you around.

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

this summer time, its not a bad idea isn't it sttweets?

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

@Gina9210 Plans to come over?

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

sttweets, when it comes to nature , or nature lovers like us...where to in Amsterdam?

haribon-sherwin
haribon-sherwin a year ago

nice shot's!.

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

Correct, Amsterdam. It's really different from Ireland, Rainforest or desert, but there is plenty to see :-)

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

Oh yeah sorry Amsterdam!

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

I believe you sttweets, I was thinking to do this summer. I live here in Killarney so it is a bit easy for me to organize my day with regards to Irish weather. :-). sttweets may I ask, you are in the Netherlands?

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

@Gina9210, Yes and I can recommend it. You need a day with Irish weather for the best atmosphere!

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

You are welcome sttweets, I had driven trough Gap of Danloe but not walking yet :-), Have you done it when you were here?

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

@Gina9210 Thank you!
I saw your spotting the other day, close to Kilarney. Have you ever walked the Gap of Dunloe?

Gina9210
Gina9210 a year ago

Hi sttweets I received a message from my Facebook, you have been selected as a Noah rangers! wow! well done, congratulations!

sttweets
sttweets a year ago

Isn't it great that a plant so common and widely spread is of such beauty! If only you're aware and watch closely.

ceherzog
ceherzog a year ago

Great shots!

SheaEckert
SheaEckert a year ago

Wow. Such a cool plant.

Xanten, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Lat: 51.65, Long: 6.50

Spotted on Jun 29, 2011
Submitted on Jul 3, 2011

Reference

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Cirsium vulgare(Spear Thistle) Spear Thistle Canada Thistle Cirsium rivulare

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