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What is this plant anybody?

nationalsolonationalsolo Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi all
Just moved to a new house in France and there are several plants that I would like to know the name of. Attached is a photo of one of these. I suspect it it might be some sort of wild  thing as there are several more growing on the embankment on the roadside. It is very spiny and the sharp thorns (?leaves) easily get through trousers and and the prickles are quite irritating. Is it worth keeping? Can I cut it back? Does it have flowers?
TIA

Nat

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Can't name it but I would say a thistle type weed.
    No point in keeping sonething that's so unfriendly!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    France is rather large and has a huge range of climates and soils so can you be a bit more specific?

    That said, it looks like one of the several kinds of thistles we get here and clear out regularly.  It is quite vicious with those spiny prickles and does have flowers but you really don't want them self seeding.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Could be a young gorse plant.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    My first thought was gorse.  Once gorse starts to flower, it never stops, so @Ceres is probably right that it's a young one.
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hi - whereabouts in France are you?  I think this is definitely gorse!  Good luck!

    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • nationalsolonationalsolo Posts: 9
    Hi All
    Thanks. We are in Brittany and on reflection I think it is a small Gorse. As it's hanging over the steps, waiting to attack ankles I'll cut it back a bit anyway. Haven't seen it in spring so wasn't sure.
    Nat
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