Unknown Plant

Leaward · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 09:27 AM

Can anyone help identify this plant. Looks like a type thistle, but not my area of expertese.

Regards

david

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 09:29 AM

I haven't got my book to hand, and I'm relativly new to this, but I think it's Common Teasel.

Nige

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 09:38 AM

Yes, I think Nige is correct.

diggleken · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 09:42 AM

both right, just before it starts to flower properly and have loads of insects visit it.
Cheers
Ken

Leaward · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 11:41 AM

Thanks for the speedy feedback.

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 01:29 PM

It's thought that teasels are on the way to becoming at least part carnivorous.

The leaves are joined at the stem such as to form a shallow cup. If you check these cups you'll often find water in them with drowned insects. It's possible that the plant will absorb the nutrients from the decaying insects in the water, but even if they don't, the nutrient rich water will enrich the soil at the base of the plant when it spills over. I've had my trousers soaked when walking through a stand of teasels, from the trapped water in the leaf bases.

Jim