It is some species of thistle -- perhaps bull thistle (cirsium vulgare), usually considered a weed.

That is one fine looking thistle...get rid of it SAP or it will take over your yard. (Ps... wear good heavy gloves!)

LOL. You wouldn't believe the TLC this weed has received! At least give me credit--there is a little similarity in the leaf shape to a. spinosus!

Well, I must admit it does look VERY lush and healthy.

Kevin

That is one wonderfully cared for Thistle!!! I sometimes think plants can deliberatly masquerade as other plants to fool us. I have nurtured many a weed in my lifetime and probably will many more times! Shovel prune and move on!
Joann

probably came from a finch thistle feeder

are you the culprit.. or a neighbor ...

ken

Ken - 'thistle' in bird seed is not thistle! It's Guizotia abyssinica - see link below. When DH wanted to set up a finch feeder with 'thistle' seed, I checked it out... including doing a germination test on the seed! So the OP's thistle did not come from a bird feeder - but might have come via a bird passing overhead :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: birdseed 'thistle'

Are there any cultivars of thistle that you would actually want? Or are sold in garden centers? Is there any possibility this is anything other than a weed?

I haven't gotten around to its execution yet, but before the guillotine falls, I just wanted to make absolutely sure. There's a person of Scottish ancestry in the house, and I wouldn't put it past myself to buy a thistle in honor. Watching me in a garden center is worse than seeing a drunk with a key to the bar.

There are a few thistles that are considered garden worthy, but most are invasive weeds. The worst of the lot is probably Canadian thistle. You can actually be fined for growing that in New Jesey.

The bull thistle that you have is one of the few weeds that I always use round-up on as soon as I spot it. Much easier and safer than trying to pull it.

Milk thistle and Scotch Thistle are awesome plants.. though you need heavy gloves to handle!

who knew..

back in the day ... i bought from the local mill.. i wonder if mine is real thistle ...

go figure.. learn something new every day ...

sooooo.. where the heck do all these thistle come from.. lol ... and shouldnt it be thith-el????

ken