A thistly question....

[JennyS]

Just back from England, and needless to say I've some photos of plants that I'm either unsure of or totally scuppered on...... Help and suggestions much appreciated!

These thistles were photographed in the Purbecks, Dorset.

1. On the headland above Old Harry rocks.



2. Also near Old Harry.....



3. From the Poole Harbour side of Studland Peninsula....(and I was delighted to find Henbane growing nearby)



4. A bit further towards the ferry....



5. From Ballard Down, photographed in (I think) July of last year

[aeshna5]

1 Dwarf Thistle, Cirsium acaule
2 Musk Thistle, Carduus nutans
4 Spear Thistle, Cirium vulgare
5 Woolly Thistle, C.eriophorum

I'm afraid 3 is too far gone for me. slender Thistle can be common along the coast, but wouldn't like to name this without a plant in better nick. Hoipe you had a good trip, it's a fabulous part of country.

[JennyS]

Thank you aeshna5.

Yes, I love Studland and the Purbecks. I only got a bit of flower-hunting whilst I was over but I did find the Marsh Gentians.
Do you know if Henbane is frequent on the harbour side of Studland peninsula as I found a small colony of it when walking back to the ferry, and I've not spotted it there in previous years?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Thank you aeshna5.

Yes, I love Studland and the Purbecks. I only got a bit of flower-hunting whilst I was over but I did find the Marsh Gentians.
Do you know if Henbane is frequent on the harbour side of Studland peninsula as I found a small colony of it when walking back to the ferry, and I've not spotted it there in previous years?

Jenny, not knowing the status of Henbane there, I looked it up in Flora of Dorset (2000) which says it's found mainly by the coast + casual inland.Apparently seeds are very long-lived. Pharmicists in Weymouth used to get their supplies of hysocine (the alkaloid toxin used in small amounts as a sedative) from Portland There we are, I've learnt something as well from your query!