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IDENTIFICATION OF THIS PLANT PLEASE

pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,521
in Plants
This plant appeared in a flowerbed as a seedling way back in the early spring.

Since then it has grown and grown. Finally, yesterday, it produced its first flower.

It has just one thin single main stem that is over six feet tall. From the main stem side shoots branch out at regular intervals. Each branch has a cluster of three flowerbuds.

The whole plant is tough and hard and wiry and stiff and difficult to cut even with secateurs.

Does anybody have an idea what it is? I suspect it came with the birdseed.
Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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Posts

  • C_craneC_crane Posts: 6
    According to my plant identifier app, it’s a Safflower which is a species of Distaff thistles.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,068
    That’s actually rather pretty.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,521
    Ooh, thank you for the quick reply. I’ve never heard of a Distaff thistle! Were its parents not married?😁
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 35,771
    PF, I don't think it is a Distaff thistle as the leaves are wrong. As its name suggests, the distaff thistle has distinctly spiky leaves. It reminds me of one of the knapweed family. Not sure about their married status either
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 6,428
    pansyface said:
    I’ve never heard of a Distaff thistle! Were its parents not married?😁
    I've got quite a lot of b**d thistles and they aren't anywhere near as pretty as your plant
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first” 
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,521
    I’ve just looked at the Wikipedia account of the safflower, and its growing habit fits mine to a tee.

    The oldest cultivated crop plant - found in Tutankhamun’s tomb - amazing.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,353
    I love the slender threads of connection. This random plant, via birdseed, directly links you to Tutankhamun, who also valued cats :)
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 839
    Goodness.Isn’t it pretty .
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,200
    Ladybird4 said:
    PF, I don't think it is a Distaff thistle as the leaves are wrong. As its name suggests, the distaff thistle has distinctly spiky leaves.  
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/28835/i-Carthamus-tinctorius-i/Details
     According to RHS...Quote...

    "Genus Carthamus can be annuals or perennials, with pinnately lobed, spiny-toothed leaves and thistle-like orange or yellow flower-heads in summer

    Details C. tinctorius is an erect, branching annual to 60cm, with spiny leaves and vivid orange or yellow, thistle-like flower-heads with prominent green bracts.

    Not seeing any spines on the mystery plant leaves.                                

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,521
    I suppose it depends on what your definition of spiny is.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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