See here for more; thanks to Prof. Mark Liberman for the pointer.

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    16 Comments

    1. vassil_petrov says:

      Only a couple of hundred km from where I live in. I’m not into the flowers though.

    2. Tim Hulsey says:

      I suppose that bipinnatus and vulgatus could both be apt descriptors.

    3. PeteP says:

      That’s a Big F***ing Deal !! :-)

    4. Dave N. says:

      I guess this partially explains the Vice President.

    5. Alan K. Henderson says:

      I knew Biden was an invasive species.

    6. jellis58 says:

      PeteP already wins the thread. I feel confident declaring it this early.

    7. 801d2d says:

      I guess the VC sometimes can’t help but prey to juvenile tendencies.

    8. ChrisTS says:

      As is so often the case with lovely plants, the common name is unattractive (Beggarstick).

    9. subpatre says:

      ChrisTS writes: “As is so often the case with lovely plants, the common name is unattractive (Beggarstick).”

      “Lovely plant”? It’s a d**ned burr!

      Both species have abundant seed-set and some very effective means for dispersal through achene adhesion to cloth, animal fur or wool (Fig. 4). —Petrova1 & Vladimirov

      And it’s an ugly flower in addition to its other undesirable properties.

    10. Peter Shalen says:

      801d2d:

      Cheez, what a grouch!

    11. ChrisTS says:

      subpatre:

      I think the flowers are lovely. Admittedly, the overall assessment is difficult: viz the beloved Socttish thistle. Do I like handling** thistles? NO! Do I recognize that the blooms are charming, Yeah.

      **(ok, trying to kill)

    12. ChrisTS says:

      Peter Shalen: Cheez, what a grouch!

      Not to mention that ‘preying to’ anyone is an abuse of the language.

    13. NickM says:

      ChrisTS: Not to mention that ‘preying to’ anyone is an abuse of the language.

      I think he meant falling prey to. But he’s still a grouch.

      Nick

    14. kimsch says:

      I hate when I come across these things in my garden. They stick to my socks, my sweats, the dogs (the cats stay inside). Half the time they are stuck somewhere where you don’t see them and you only know they’re there when they start itching.

    15. PeteP says:

      kimsch – yeh, that’s pretty much typical of Bidens :-)