Corn Sow-Thistle
The genera Cirsium, Curduus, Cnicus, and the Scotch Thistle of the genus Onopordum are all thistles of the same much larger compositae family. However, the latter is something of a regal figure among them, commonly reaching a height of 2 m, and is the largest and most robust.
Corn Chamomile is a common field weed found practically anywhere on open land – in root or grain crops, fallow land, vineyards, gardens, or waste-heaps. In some regions, following drainage of once- damp fields, it occurs in such abundance as to crowd out cultivated crops.
Although native to the warmer Mediterranean region, Corn Chamomile became established throughout Europe centuries ago and was introduced, together with seeds, to America, Australia, and New Zealand. It spreads mostly by means of seeds: a single plant bears as many as 4500 achenes. The stems, too, if bent to the ground, may take root, and this helps to preserve the plant in a given locality and indeed to contribute to its spread.
The whole plant is covered with grey wool, but even the tissues in the stem wings contain chlorophyll and photosynthesize. Scotch Thistle is a biennial herb that develops into a remarkably beautiful plant, particularly in the second year when it flowers.
The leaves are smooth, glossy green, and runcinate-pinnatifid with spinous-ciliate and spine-toothed lobes; some are undivided but these are coarsely toothed on the margin. The base of the leaves has rounded lobes.
Although looked upon as something of a pariah amongst plants, Scotch Thistle is decorative in any large garden or public park, either as a solitary specimen or in small groups.
Tags: advice, diy, family, flower, free, gardening, home, howto, ideas, improvement, online, organic, outdoors, recreation, resources
 Print This Post
|