Bear's Breeches

Description:

Basal cluster of lustrous, deeply lobed leaves with a tall spiny inflorescence bearing purple and white flowers.

Habitat:

This specimen lives at the foot of my garden grove

Notes:

The leaves of this plant are thought to be the inspiration for the leaf pattern found at the top of the Corinthian order of architectural columns. No one seems to know why the plant is commonly called bear's breeches....but obviously it endears the plant to me! This stuff is the Bee's knees?.....naw....Clearly it's the Bears Breeches!