what's this?

[42itous]

Comments

[mercurysparkle.livejournal.com]

Purple thistle perhaps?

[42itous.livejournal.com]

That's what I was guessing.

But see comment below -- it seems we guessed wrong!

[le-coeur-chante.livejournal.com]

The leaves are wrong for a thistle. Pretty sure it's Common Burdock

[42itous.livejournal.com]

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.

[le-coeur-chante.livejournal.com]

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!

[42itous.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[mercurysparkle.livejournal.com]

How cool! Now I know what to look for & the differences!