MUSK or NODDING THISTLE Carduus nutans

Ysgallen Ogwydd

A biennial flower of rough pastures, waste ground and calcareous soils. Its large, drooping flower heads give it the name nodding thistle, and their sweet scent gives the alternative name musk thistle. Loved by many insects, musk thistle is the larval food plant of the Painted Lady butterfly and its seeds are a valuable food source for finches like linnets.

Height: up to 1m

Flowers: May to August

Colour: Pink