Maturing Teasel Flower Clusters, July Evening

On an early July evening I was wandering in a field, checking out some of the early maturing meadow flowers. Although they are in invasive "alien" species, I can still find plenty to be interested about with the common Teasel, Dipsacus sylvestris.

Their curious spiny, pin-cushion-like egg-shaped flower clusters, which in this photo have not quite matured. Their lance-shaped leaves, which embrace the stem in pairs. Their slender, upward arching bracts, which are those slender dagger-looking things coming out from the base of the flower clusters.

The dried flower clusters and stalks remain upright throughout the winter and spring, reminding us for many months that they were there.

In all, a curious and interesting "alien" plant that looks like it could be from another planet!

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