The unusual flowers of  the silver-green, Eryngium campestre, are arranged in globes and surrounded by a star of bracts. They are supported rigid upright branched stems. almost every plant seems to have  a spider or an insect, disguised amongst the branches. Presumably the bugs are protected fromtheir predators by the sharp spines of the plants.

Although often referred to as a thistle Eryngium campestre is a member of the carrot family.

The English name Watling Street thistle comes from the fact that the plant, which is rare in U.K.was found close to the eponymous Roman road.