[countrygardener]

Hi there,after doing gardening for over 20 years its not often i find a plant i hav'nt seen before.the plant in question must be herbacious as it was;nt there a few months ago.It is now about 6ft high and has the most ferocious spines down the centre of each leaf,it must be sending suckers up as the lawn is covered in little ones,its quite ornamental but has me stumped what it is.Any ideas.

[mobilekat]

Do you have any pictures?

broad or narrow leaves?

has it flowered?

[DavidT]

It sounds like some kind of thistle to me or perhaps Teasel.

[WirralWally]

What you describe is probably a teasel.
Try doing a search for that and compare the pics with your plant.

I have loads growing in a 'wild patch' of my garden.
The stems and leaves are not something you want to come into contact with whilst not wearing some substantial protective clothing. 

[Trillium]

Here's a pic of teasel. The lower spines are quite wicked.

http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/nature/pictures/large-insects.asp?pic=65

[Arbutus]

Teasles seem to be having a very good year in 2010 - I've seen and heard about far more than ever before. Perhaps the wet weather of last summer ensured good germination of the seed crop.