A Greek thistle ID'd by Oron as Onopordum illyricum

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Alisdair

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A Greek thistle ID'd by Oron as Onopordum illyricum
« on: November 29, 2016, 09:28:11 AM »
Can anyone put a name to this handsome thistle, photographed by Isabel Sanders near Porto Kayio in Mani, on the Greek Peloponnese? I don't have foliage photos I'm afraid.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2017, 07:33:54 PM by Fleur Pavlidis »
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

Hilary

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Re: A Greek thistle
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2016, 11:49:07 AM »
Do you think it might be a wild artichoke?
I have never seen one in flower but they have plenty of prickles
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Living in Korinthos, Greece.
No garden but two balconies, one facing south and the other north.
Most of my plants are succulents which need little care

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Alisdair

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Re: A Greek thistle
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2016, 05:43:01 PM »
Caroline Harbouri who sent me the photo also said that she thought it looked artichoke-like. If it is a Cynara do you reckon it would be the true cardoon/artichoke, Cynara cardunculus, rather than the Greek native Cynara cornigera? Cornigera has even longer prickles on the flower buds, I think.
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

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oron peri

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Re: A Greek thistle
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2017, 04:26:19 PM »
Alisdair, it is Onopordum illyricum
Garden Designer, Bulb man, Botanical tours guide.
Living and gardening in Tivon, Lower Galilee region, North Israel.
Min temp 5c Max 42c, around 450mm rain.

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Alisdair

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Re: A Greek thistle ID'd by Oron as Onopordum illyricum
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2017, 09:09:54 AM »
Oron, thanks very much for that - sorry that I've only just seen your answer, but I was away.
Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society