Fall Thistles

These thistles sometimes end up in decorative flower arrangements. I have been interested to see them growing in fields and along the roads in Northern Utah. They have impressive shapes when they dry out in the Fall. This plant is known as Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense) and it is another example of an "invasive plant" originating in Europe and Asia. It is interesting that the roots and stalks are both edible (of course before they dry out in the Fall). So here we have a beautiful, edible plant that is considered a noxious, invasive weed. Interesting.