Family

Composite.

Colour

Purplish crimson.

Odour

Scentless.

Range

North and east.

Time of Bloom

July-November.

Flower-heads: large; solitary; composed entirely of tubular flowers and surrounded by a prickly involucre. Leaves: alternate; sessile, much cut and beset with red prickles. Stem: leafy; rough.

"Nemo me impune lacessit."

Truly the farmer's life is no merry jest; for when he attempts to lean back in his easy chair, and flatter himself that he has grappled successfully with the troublesome weeds of the season, along comes the thistle and rears itself in his pastures. Its sharp red prickles are rather inconvenient to those of artistic temperament who wish to show it any demonstration of affection; but the bumble-bees love it dearly and enjoy sweet converse with it unharmed.

C. arvensis, or Canada thistle, is the common species along the roadsides and in fields. It is readily known by its numerous small flower-heads and although pretty it is a most pernicious weed.

Plants Growing in Waste Soil: Roadside

Banks and Lanes.

What charm has the road when beside it we wander

And gaze at its banks gaily clothed, Where dwell the proud asters, the legion of sparrows

And myriads of rods waving gold. There the little birds sing and the merry bees hum,

A naughty snake glides slowly by, In waves clear or misty hang sunshine and shadow,

While above is the deep, blue sky.