The Downy Safflower (Carthanus lanatus) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is also known as the Saffron Thistle.
It is native to the Mediterranean region.
It grows to about 100 centimetres (39 inches) tall. The stem is pale green with spiny leaves.
It is a spiny, woolly plant that looks like it is covered in spider webs. It is actually covered in its fibres.
The flower head has many sharp, long, phyllaries. The florets are bright yellow.
Photographed in the Paris Botanical Garden, France, August 2022.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
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Great post. Love the pictures!!
Thanks so much.