Last summer around mid august my family and I were renting a house just outside Estes Park in Colorado and behind the house in a dry, sunny, grassy patch was a large dry stalk sticking up through the grass. On top of the stalk was a seed pod with a bunch of seeds with the feathery things on them (like dandelion seeds). I took about two or three seeds and put them in a ziplock bag and took them home with me. I planted them in a small pot when I got home but did not grow much bigger than two or three inches. This summer the plant has grown rather quickly and just recently the two stalks have appeared. I have tried to find out what this is on my own but my search has yielded no results, I have no idea where to even start. The plant has very sharp spikes on the edges of the leaves which can easily break skin. ( I found that out when I moved it to a bigger pot) I am not sure if this plant is even native to Colorado I would just like to know what it is. I have included several pictures that I hope will help. I really appreciate any help or information. Thanks
What about Cirsium foliosum its apparently native to Colorado. Thanks you really put me on the right track with identifying this plant. I feel like kicking myself for not thinking of thistle.
I've come to the conclusion that this is plumeless thistle wich is considered an invasive species in Colorado. Is this a threat in St. Louis if the seeds were to spread? http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellit...goBlobs&blobwhere=1191397772859&ssbinary=true Just a PDF I found interesting
