Landscape macro close up of thistle flower Carduus crispus, the Welted Thistle, on blurred green background.

---

Carduus crispus or Welted thistle is a member of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is a favorite foodplant of caterpillars of the Painted Lady, which derives its specific epithet, cardui, from their preference for thistles. This is one of the first thistles to flower and is a very spiny plant. It is common throughout England but is less common in Scotland and Ireland. It has a slightly cottony appearance just below the flowers where there are spiny bracts as well. It can be quite tall. It used to be called Carduus acanthoides.

---

Size: 4000px × 2999px
Location: Kelso, Scottish Borders
Photo credit: © Justin Long / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: asteraceae, blossom, blur, blurry, bokeh, borders, bracts, cardui, carduus, caterpillars, colour, colourful, common, crispus, daisy, family, field, flower, foodplant, green, iconic, kelso, lady, national, painted, purple, scot, scotland, scottish, spike, spiny, stereotypical, thistle, thorn, thorny, welted