[spottymint]

Hi

O/H wanted to keep this as it looked nice when small, now it's about 3ft & looking like a yellow flowered weed.

Can you ID it, as it's due to die tomorow, unless it's something special  

Did think at the early stage, a thistle from the leaves, but not that from the yellow flowers.







Many thanks for the help.  

Ignore the cosmos & jasmin in the photo.

[Yorkie]

Is it possible for you to post the photos using the [img] code, rather than url links, spottymint?

It makes it far easier for everyone else to see the photos.   

[spottymint]

there you go yorkie, I'm never sure how that works, so O/H had to tell me again.

[Gandan57]

It`s a milk thistle, a bunny or hen treat. Looks in very good condition, what have you been feeding it on?

[spottymint]

googled milk thistle & that has purple flowers, this thing has yellow flowers, small more like tiny dandelion shape flowers.

[DD.]

Try Sow Thistle.

Pulled a lot out of my raspberries today.

I suggest you cull this one as well, unless you want 1000's more next year!

[Gandan57]

I just googled milk thistle images and those are not what I believe to be milk thistles!

It`s this one, also known as spiny sow thistle.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/sowthistle_prickly.htm

[spottymint]

yep, DD has it, just googled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonchus_asper

Prickly sow thistle, milk thistle was close though.  

Thanks, shall be binning this, wiki say's can be classed as noxious.

Gandan57, you typed as I typed. I understand the milk bit from the sap. 

[Gandan57]

That`s it, the milky sap. I`ve never known it by any other name than milky.

[spottymint]

To think I let the O/H keep it & didn't plant my runners. Now you know why it looks healthy. 

[Gandan57]

They must be rare in Hampshire, we have them by the million here.

[spottymint]

anyone got a tortoise ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SW-Prickly-sow-thistle-seeds-tortoise-30p-postage-/360208784752?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item53de1ddd70

[Gandan57]

Well that`s opportunist. Wonder how much demand they get for weed seeds?

When I took over my plot at the end of July last year, the first seeds to be sown on it were milky thistle seeds from next door`s plot being blown across on a westerly breeze. Almost a year on and the same scenario is developing, a fine crop of milkies amongst his asparagus ferns. I think a bit of covert weeding is imminent.

[sunshineband]

Last year I sneaked into next door's plot which was virtually used and cut down all the dock which was going to seed, and carried the long stalks on eveidence away with me. 

I did own up when I eventually saw the lot holder, and he had been very ill and unable to tend his plot, so was quite grateful (whew!)

His plot is down wind from mine and even though dock seed is not that light is still gets blown in. Have put up a wall of debris netting a  metre high now too 

[8doubles]

I have always known them as milk thistles, collected thousands as a lad for rabbit food.
Not so keen to see them now on the veg patch !.