The Milk Thistle is a tough non-native (annual or biannual) that has no problem competing to surivive. The name is derived from its leaves mottled with white and the milky sap they contain. For many centuries extracts of milk thistle have been recognized as liver tonics. Silybum marianum
Yeah, they really ARE quite beautiful... And SO prolific... And I've heard they're good for the liver too – although I don't think I could hold a straight face if I ever had to ask for "Sillybum" in a health food store... Donald Kinney @ 06-13-2009
Exquisite detail!! Love the colors!!! Marcie @ 06-13-2009
That is brilliant, Jane. Absolutely stunning! Ginnie @ 06-14-2009
Very lovely. Gosh it looks like it was designed by Star Wars special effects. What an ornery plant! Great DOF here and bokeh. Bob Towery @ 06-14-2009
Awesome subject for a close study! So fantastically detailed - no wonder it's a survivor, I'd be humbled to even photograph it! :-) Ian @ 06-15-2009
I like the simplicity and elegance of the composition. GJC @ 06-16-2009
you've really brought out the thistle element here with the focus on those spiky ends michele @ 06-16-2009
The Milk Thistle is a tough non-native (annual or biannual) that has no problem competing to surivive. The name is derived from its leaves mottled with white and the milky sap they contain. For many centuries extracts of milk thistle have been recognized as liver tonics. Silybum marianum
Yeah, they really ARE quite beautiful... And SO prolific... And I've heard they're good for the liver too – although I don't think I could hold a straight face if I ever had to ask for "Sillybum" in a health food store... Donald Kinney @ 06-13-2009
Exquisite detail!! Love the colors!!! Marcie @ 06-13-2009
That is brilliant, Jane. Absolutely stunning! Ginnie @ 06-14-2009
Very lovely. Gosh it looks like it was designed by Star Wars special effects. What an ornery plant! Great DOF here and bokeh. Bob Towery @ 06-14-2009
Awesome subject for a close study! So fantastically detailed - no wonder it's a survivor, I'd be humbled to even photograph it! :-) Ian @ 06-15-2009
I like the simplicity and elegance of the composition. GJC @ 06-16-2009
you've really brought out the thistle element here with the focus on those spiky ends michele @ 06-16-2009
Donald Kinney @ 06-13-2009
Marcie @ 06-13-2009
Ginnie @ 06-14-2009
Bob Towery @ 06-14-2009
Ian @ 06-15-2009
GJC @ 06-16-2009
michele @ 06-16-2009
grant @ 06-16-2009