The thorny bulbous part under the flower identify this intruder as a Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) shown here. Many of the Thistle seen off roadways and in prairies are these non-native agressive Eurasian species. This restored prairie adjacent to Linne Woods in the Cook County Forest Preserve north of Chicago was the ideal environment for such “weeds” who happily compete with native plants trying to thrive. The bees and butterflies do enjoy its nectar. Copyright 2020 Pamela Breitberg (photo 2010)
