[identity profile] mercurysparkle.livejournal.com 2016-08-07 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Purple thistle perhaps?

[identity profile] 42itous.livejournal.com 2016-08-07 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
That's what I was guessing.

But see comment below -- it seems we guessed wrong!
Edited 2016-08-08 11:36 (UTC)

[identity profile] mercurysparkle.livejournal.com 2016-08-08 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
How cool! Now I know what to look for & the differences!

[identity profile] le-coeur-chante.livejournal.com 2016-08-07 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
The leaves are wrong for a thistle. Pretty sure it's Common Burdock

[identity profile] 42itous.livejournal.com 2016-08-07 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! That's amazing how similar the flowers look. Now that you point out the leaves, I see you're right.

Hmm. I've seen burdock leaves -- large and low to the ground -- by the Minuteman Bikeway, but I've never noticed the flowers there. Iirc, burdock is on a two-year cycle, so you'd think half of it would be flowering in any given year.

[identity profile] le-coeur-chante.livejournal.com 2016-08-08 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, the big Burdock leaves you describe are those low to the ground. Look at the base of the flowering stalks and they'll still be there. Often confused with rhubarb at first glance.

P. S. I love your "what is this" posts!

[identity profile] 42itous.livejournal.com 2016-08-08 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :)