Family: Asteraceae Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris Flowering time: July-Septeber. Biennial Can be locally common on infertile calcareous grassland, also found on dunes, rock ledges and sea-cliffs. Golden-brownish tubular florets are surrounded by prominent yellow-brown bracts in rayless flowerheads which can be solitary or in groups. The basal leaf rosette withers before flowering occurs in the second season. Stem leaves are alternate, cottony below with spiny margins. Height 10-60cm

Carline Thistle, Carlina vulgaris
Godlingston Hill, Dorset. August and October 2012