ONOPORDON 195 



ONOPOR'DON Cotton Thistle (from Gr. onos, an ass, and 

 porde, breaking wind). Nat Ord. Composites. 



This is a characteristic family of giant Thistles 

 flowering in July, and suitable for the semi-wild 

 garden or among shrubs. One or two here and 

 there look noble objects when their silvery stems 

 and foliage are shown up against a dark background, 

 and allowed plenty of room to develop. The draw- 

 back is that they seed so freely that they are liable 

 to run riot unless checked. 



0. ara'bicum. This is a biennial species with large 

 purple flower-heads, erect, slightly branching, 

 the spiny leaves covered with white down on 

 both sides and a woolly stem. Height 8 ft. 

 S. Europe, 1686. 



0. bracteaftum. This is a recently introduced ( 1 902) 

 Thistle from Mount Boudroun, Asia Minor, 

 very floriferous, the purple flower-heads 3 to 

 5 ins. across. The leaves, 2| to 3 ft. long, and 

 stem are silvery, spiny, and glossy, and most 

 ornamental. Height 10 to 12 ft. Biennial. 



0. elonga'tum. See 0. illyricum. 

 0. hor^ridum. See 0. illyricum. 



0. illyricum. This is a biennial species very like 

 the Scotch Cotton Thistle, but with greener 

 and more deeply cut and more spiny foliage, 

 while the stem is stiffer and rather more 

 branching, but with the same purple flower- 

 heads. Height 6 ft. S. Europe, 1640. 



