Cirsium eriophorum

A British and European native of prickly character, to be found in dry and grassy places. It is a sturdy plant with long slim, angular green leaves with fierce spines, and having cotton indumentum (a covering on its surface) on their underside. The thistle flowers open from substantial bracts, with long curved spines, looking like small armoured kiwi fruits. The small flowers form a fan of fine purple threads. It flowers from midsummer to early autumn. Not a plant for gardens.