After a few rain storms, these seeds might not make it. I do have one vine still hanging on. The idea was great, though. The kids loved making those sweet little flags. When we didn’t know what the seed was for, we just drew the plant or the seed on it. The one up front is what we call “purple pineapple weed”. I have no idea what the real name for it is. You can check out a photo of it fully grown by clicking the link. Bonus points if you can tell me what kind of weed it is.
*Update: This weed is actually related to a carrot, not a thistle. It is called Eryngium. It isn’t noxious. This species’ common name is Leavenworth’s Eryngo. It loves limestone soils. Most species that live in Texas are also threatened and endangered.
Quick Links
Purple Pineapple Weed – Thursday Challenge
First glimpse of Purple Pineapple Weed
Nature as a Teaching Tool (most of my nature links)
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It’s a THISTLE. Yes a weed. Very painful if stepped on. Will take over fields if allowed to do so.
those are cute little signs! I hope the rain didn’t wash them out.
It’s a type of thistle…invasive and painful plant. Don’t want it growing in the lawn! 🙂
Kelly
PS Drove through Brazos bend and thought about you today. Saw a raccoon carrying its baby. And lots of baby deer.
I was gonna say thistle, but everyone beat me to it.
I say let it grow and see if Eeyore visits your yard. Did you know he adores thistle?
It’s also the national flower of Scotland (although probably not this variety). And bees and hummingbirds really like them too.
Yeah, just don’t step on them or back into them. 😉
A purple prickly weed? Hahaha! I’m not sure. 🙂 If the others say it’s a thistle, a thistle it is! Prickly little fella!
Great tags! Are they laminated? Fun stuff. 😀
Heather,
That looks like a form of the Purple Star Thistle. But I haven’t been able to find a specific photo like yours anywhere. It IS a weed. You do NOT want to grow it in your yard. I wouldn’t touch it either, you could end up with very sore owies. You could find a garden message board and see if someone knows the exact scientific name of the species though. Try :
http://gardenweb.com
Everyone was wrong! It isn’t a noxious weed, is native to the area, and is actually related to a carrot! The exact name is “LEAVENWORTH ERYNGO”. Here’s info from a Kansas site: Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses
Apparently the Leavenworth Eryngo likes the limestone hills as much as I do:
“Habitat: Dry, rocky prairies, roadsides, open woodlands, and waste areas, most abundant on limestone or chalk soils.”
Here’s another photo site:
Eryngium leavenworthii – Common Name: Leavenworth’s Eryngo
Here are some nicknames names for that genus:
beethistle
button snakeroot
eryngo
rattlesnake master
rattlesnakemaster
sea holly
spiritweed
I love “beethistle”. “Rattlesnakemaster” sounds formidable. The plant itself is extremely formidable, so I would lean towards that one. However, the time I took the photo with the bees, there were multiple bees (one bumble bee and two honey bees) on one flower!
Wow! Who knew?! It’s a cute little plant but I’m not sure I’d want it in my yard. Ouch!
Love ya, ya crazy girl. 🙂
Kelly