Teasel

Favors clay soils found along roadsides, in rugged grasslands, on neglected land, and at woodland peripheries. It exhibits a scattered distribution in Ireland, with native presence in certain regions but likely introduced in others. Blooms from July to August. A biennial plant, found both native and introduced in the region.

Identification

Clusters of small pink-mauve flowers are tightly packed within spiny linear bracts. In the first year, the plant forms basal leaf rosettes consisting of lanceolate, prickly leaves. In the second year, it sends up erect, highly prickly flowering stems with narrow leaves. The undersides of the leaves are also prickly. The plant can reach heights of up to 2 meters.

More information at https://www.irishwildflowers.ie/pages/285a.html