A couple of ID's please

[goosey]

1. This was a strange with spiky flowers. I don't recall ever seeing one before and I don't think it is native to Cumbria. This one was about 1m high but there were a few more which were in flower but smaller.

1.

2. I saw lots of these at The North Walney Nature Reserve in long grass. It is a windy coastal area on the Irish Sea. I am not sure if they are flowers or actually seed heads.

2.

[goosey]

I can kick myself, the warden at the South Walney nature reserve told me what this was and that it was quite rare (whether that was in Cumbria or in England I don't know). He also said it was very poisoness.
It was a largish shrub about 1m tall.
I can't remember what it is called now - help please!

3.

[JRsbugs]

Your first one is Acanthus mollis, or Bear's Breeches, it's been a popular garden plant but is not native to here.

Acanthus mollis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I feel sure I know the second one, but it's too far embedded in the memory vaults.

I also think I have come across the third one. I'll just have to leave the brain to try to come up with something!

Janet

[goosey]

Thank you Janet- looks like you are spot on there with Acanthus mollis .

[goosey]

Originally Posted by goosey

I can kick myself, the warden at the South Walney nature reserve told me what this was and that it was quite rare (whether that was in Cumbria or in England I don't know). He also said it was very poisoness.
It was a largish shrub about 1m tall.
I can't remember what it is called now - help please!

3.

At last I remembered, it is Henbane - Hyoscyamus niger!
Actually I didn't remember but googled "flowers south walney nature reserve" and there it was in the list of which plants can be found there .

[Suzanne B]

What are you like!!
I was just going to post with the answer as well and put you out of your misery.
(actually I wasn't..... but hey no-one has to know that do they! )
Is that where they get the niger seeds from that the birds like do you know?
Anyhow, glad you 'remembered' in the end.

[tony d]

The furry one is Trifolium arvense - Hare's Foot Clover
Tony

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

Is that where they get the niger seeds from that the birds like do you know?
Anyhow, glad you 'remembered' in the end.

Niger seed comes from another plant -I did think it was teasel but actually it comes from a plant called Guizotia abyssinica. An annual herb grown
for its seed and its edible oil. It was originally found in Ethiopia and Eritrea the modern names for the countries which were formally Abyssinia - check the Latin name!