Woolly thistle

My favourite thistle species (Cirsium eriophorum), here growing in the chalk pit above Bishop Wilton. We don't have these on the hard Carboniferous limestones around Morecambe Bay, so they are always a delight to see when visiting Beyond.

I remember finding my first Woolies in my early botanical days at home in the Vale of Glamorgan, growing there on the chalk-like Oolitic limestone.

This species, like all thistles, is much favoured by bumblebees. Alas, the bumblebee photo was out of focus, so not displayed here.