marsh thistle, Cirsium palustre

Bridgeheads are places where invaders stage their next attack? And here they are. These Eurasians are coming for us trolls. Actually, they're already across the Mackinac Bridge, headed south. As thistles go, it' not even all that attractive, except for bugs. It was found to be the best nectar producer in the UK. The heads are a little smaller and less generously flowered than our natives. So far marsh thistle has made it to MA, MI, NH, NY, WI, BC, NF, NS, ON, QC, and SPM. Baraga CO MI, 7/13/14.