Macro Monday - Bull Thistle

Sue and I drove up to the Tallgrass Preserve on Saturday to admire the view.  By this time of year the prairie is usually dry and brown but this year is lush and green.  The buffalo were grazing up to their bellies and looked fat and happy.  Bull Thistle is often found growing next to the road.  It blooms purple then dries to a brownish gray.  This year the seed pods themselves are purple.  I don't recall seeing this much color before.  I read that the stalks and root of the plant are edible and provide food for rabbits and deer.  Those critters have tougher mouth parts than I do.

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