Description | Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium) is a neat looking plant with the spiny woolly silver foliage. Considered a noxious weed in many areas of the world. |
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Pronunciation | (on-0-POR-dum-a) |
Plant Type | All Plants, Biennials |
Sunlight | full |
Moisture | average |
Soil & Site | average |
Flowers | terminal spiny flower, capitium, purple ray flowers, |
Fruit | achene |
Leaves | gray felted spiny leaves |
Stems | spiny winged stems |
Dimensions | over 6 feet tall |
Maintenance | removal of volunteer plants |
Propagation | seeds |
Native Site | Native to Eurasia and naturalized in the USA> |
Misc Facts | Onopordum [genus name] is a corruption of a Greek name onopordon that for some authorities is derived from Greek ono- (ass) and perdo (to consume) components with reference to asses eating thistle foliage. Others suggest Greek porde (break wind, fart) with reference to the plant's effect on donkeys.(#145) |
Author's Notes | I have seen this plant used in gardens and it creates an architectural statement, not only in form but the silvery color. |
Notes & Reference | #109-Annuals and Tender Perennials for North American Gardens (Wayne Winterroud), #145-Plant Lives, (Sue Eland) www.plantlives.com |