West Highland Flora

Melancholy Thistle

Cirsium heterophyllum

Older name: Cirsium helenioides

Photo © Carl Farmer
14 Jul 2003 Portree, Skye
Flowerhead c 5 cm wide incl outermost rays

Occasional on roadsides, heathery moorland and damp grassland.

Flowerhead diameter c 3-5 cm

ID: Leaves edged with soft spines but do not feel prickly like other thistles, and are white beneath.

Other features: Base leaves long-stalked, upper stem leaves stalkless and surrounding stem with large basal lobes (auricles). Stems unwinged and without spines.

Photo © Carl Farmer
19 May 2002 Scorrybreac, Skye

Photo © Carl Farmer
25 Sep 2001 Portree, Skye

Above: Leaves showing white underside

Left: Flower-bud and upper stem leaves with
auricles clasping stem

Photo © Carl Farmer
14 Jul 2003 Portree, Skye

This extraordinary plant had 5 flowerheads instead of the normal one, and leaves deeply divided. Full details are on http://www.nature-diary.co.uk/2004-06-17.htm

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