Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I've been identifying some weeds that are growing in the spot where we throw our tree trimmings/pulled weeds/etc. Since cleaning up long-neglected sections of our property is a never-ending project around here, it's quite a big pile. An unbelievable variety of things grows around and over it each year. We like the wild blackberries best, but so do the birds and the bunnies and the chipmunks and the squirrels and whoever else is living over there.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), with its egg shape, spikes, and purple flowers, was easy to find with google. I'm having a harder time with this one, which I don't remember seeing in previous years.


Can anyone tell me what it is?

7 comments:

Life With Us said...

It Reminds me of some sort of milkweed. How tall is it?

Rue said...

It's about 4 feet tall.

Rue said...

Just did some googling - I think you're right. Thanks :o)

Jessica said...

definitely milkweed, you will love the smell of the flowers and they attract butterflies like crazy!!!

kelli said...

It looks like Milkweed! yay! Butterflies! :) I guess I'm late to the discovery.. I see now. But you're still lucky!

Unknown said...

We live in western NY and every year we raise Monarch caterpillars that we find on our milkweed plants (we've found caterpillars as late as mid September). Check underneath the leaves of the plants every day - raising Monarchs is so much fun and they go from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly rather quickly. This year we found a raft of newly hatched Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars (about 50 of them)and are raising them - definitely a new experience as they will overwinter in their cocoons. all but 5 have made their cocoons so far!

Dave said...

Great read thanks