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Prickly Collection (#23)

"Embracing the Prickly Beauty of Nature's Thorny Delights" The Common Thorn Apple, also known as Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium

Background imagePrickly Collection: Sweet chestnut leaves and fruit

Sweet chestnut leaves and fruit
Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) leaves and fruit on the ground in Autumn. Photographed in the UK

Background imagePrickly Collection: Echinophora spinosa

Echinophora spinosa in flower

Background imagePrickly Collection: Carthamus lanatus

Carthamus lanatus

Background imagePrickly Collection: Cirsium creticum

Cirsium creticum in flower

Background imagePrickly Collection: Carduus micropterus subsp. micropterus

Carduus micropterus subsp. micropterus
Carduus micropterus subsp. Micropterus in flower

Background imagePrickly Collection: Carlina vulgaris

Carlina vulgaris in flower

Background imagePrickly Collection: Floss-silk (Chorisia speciosa) flower C014 / 2565

Floss-silk (Chorisia speciosa) flower C014 / 2565
Floss-silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) trunk. This plant is native to South America

Background imagePrickly Collection: Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) C013 / 5540

Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) C013 / 5540
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)

Background imagePrickly Collection: Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) C013 / 5461

Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) C013 / 5461
Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) flowering in summer

Background imagePrickly Collection: Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) C016 / 7392

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) C016 / 7392
Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) seedheads covered in snow

Background imagePrickly Collection: Heterorachis aculeata

Heterorachis aculeata, flowering in damp clay soil, near Nieuwoudtville Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Euphorbia venenata

Euphorbia venenata. Photographed in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Euphorbia virosa

Euphorbia virosa
Young Gifboom (Euphorbia virosa), also known as Poison Tree. Photographed in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Euphorbia mammillaris

Euphorbia mammillaris
Corn Cob Euphorbia (Euphorbia mammillaris), a native succulent. Photographed in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Pincushion Spurge (Euphorbia pulvinata)

Pincushion Spurge (Euphorbia pulvinata), a native succulent. Photographed in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Krantz Aloe (Aloe arborescens)

Krantz Aloe (Aloe arborescens) flowers. Photographed in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Cape Aloe (Aloe ferox)

Cape Aloe (Aloe ferox), also known as Bitter Aloe and Red Aloe, flowering in South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Spurge (Euphorbia tuberculata)

Spurge (Euphorbia tuberculata)
Succulent spurge (Euphorbia tuberculata) growing in the Cape area, South Africa

Background imagePrickly Collection: Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex C016 / 4370

Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex C016 / 4370
Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex in flower

Background imagePrickly Collection: Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus) C016 / 4365

Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus) C016 / 4365
Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus) in flower. This plant grows to about 1 metre tall, often on waste or stony ground. It has been used medicinally, and in making paper

Background imagePrickly Collection: Oriental Plane tree (Platanus orientalis) C016 / 4274

Oriental Plane tree (Platanus orientalis) C016 / 4274
Oriental Plane tree (Platanus orientalis) fruit

Background imagePrickly Collection: Cryptomeria japonica Elegans

Cryptomeria japonica Elegans
Two year old cones on a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica Elegans )

Background imagePrickly Collection: Echinophora spinosa in flower, artwork C016 / 3332

Echinophora spinosa in flower, artwork C016 / 3332
Echinophora spinosa in flower, artwork

Background imagePrickly Collection: European hedgehog, artwork C016 / 3273

European hedgehog, artwork C016 / 3273
European hedgehog, artwork. The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is commonly found in Eurasian woodland, farmland and suburban areas and feeds on slugs, earthworms and insects

Background imagePrickly Collection: Aesculus hippocastanum C013 / 6977

Aesculus hippocastanum C013 / 6977
Forming Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) fruits in spring. Photographed in Dorset, United Kingdom

Background imagePrickly Collection: Beech (Fagus sylvatica) C013 / 6963

Beech (Fagus sylvatica) C013 / 6963
Fallen Beech nuts (Fagus sylvatica) in September. Photographed in the New Forest, United Kingdom

Background imagePrickly Collection: Pineapples (Ananas comosus) C013 / 6908

Pineapples (Ananas comosus) C013 / 6908
Harvested pineapples (Ananas comosus)

Background imagePrickly Collection: Milk Thistle (Carduus natans) C013 / 5416

Milk Thistle (Carduus natans) C013 / 5416
Milk Thistle (Carduus natans), also known as Nodding Thistle, flowering in summer

Background imagePrickly Collection: Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) C013 / 5399

Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) C013 / 5399
Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) flowering in summer

Background imagePrickly Collection: Opuntia camachoi, prickly pear cactus

Opuntia camachoi, prickly pear cactus
Figure 30 from Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 1932-33, by Professor Carlos Porter

Background imagePrickly Collection: Opunita fiscus-indica, prickly pear

Opunita fiscus-indica, prickly pear
An oil painting of a prickly pear (Opunita fiscus-indica). The artist and date are unknown. Original canvas held at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imagePrickly Collection: Endemic giant barrel cactus (Ferocactus diguetii), Isla Santa Catalina

Endemic giant barrel cactus (Ferocactus diguetii), Isla Santa Catalina, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Background imagePrickly Collection: Wildflower in Yellowstone NP

Wildflower in Yellowstone NP

Background imagePrickly Collection: Hoodia juttae, an asclepiad from Namaqualand, South Africa

Hoodia juttae, an asclepiad from Namaqualand, South Africa
ROG-13752 Hoodia juttae, an asclepiad Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South Africa Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona, Tucson. Parryi Agave is tolerant of a range of cultural conditions

USA, Arizona, Tucson. Parryi Agave is tolerant of a range of cultural conditions but does best between 1500-1800 feet above sea level, Botanical Garden, Tucson, Arizona

Background imagePrickly Collection: Tucson, Arizona, United States

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona, Giant Saguaro Cactus, (Carnegiea gigantea) Saguaro National Park, Tucson area

USA, Arizona, Giant Saguaro Cactus, (Carnegiea gigantea) Saguaro National Park, Tucson area

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona

USA, Arizona

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona, Saguaro NP. The skin of the saguaro cactus has water-storing tissues

USA, Arizona, Saguaro NP. The skin of the saguaro cactus has water-storing tissues and sharp needles, Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona, Lake Pleasant area. A variety of cacti grow near Lake Pleasant in Arizona

USA, Arizona, Lake Pleasant area. A variety of cacti grow near Lake Pleasant in Arizona

Background imagePrickly Collection: Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), Joshua Tree National Park, California

Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), Joshua Tree National Park, California, US

Background imagePrickly Collection: Thistle, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

Thistle, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

Background imagePrickly Collection: USA, Arizona, Saguaro NP. Some barrel cacti, such as these in Saguaro National Park in Arizona

USA, Arizona, Saguaro NP. Some barrel cacti, such as these in Saguaro National Park in Arizona, may be as much as 500 years old

Background imagePrickly Collection: Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp), Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp), Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona

Background imagePrickly Collection: Claret Cup cactus blooms in desert setting near Zion National Park in Utah

Claret Cup cactus blooms in desert setting near Zion National Park in Utah

Background imagePrickly Collection: Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, adult on Saguaro cactus, Tuscon, Arizona

Cactus Wren, Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, adult on Saguaro cactus, Tuscon, Arizona, USA

Background imagePrickly Collection: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Land Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) feeding on Opuntia

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Land Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) feeding on Opuntia Cactus on Plaza Sur Island

Background imagePrickly Collection: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Lone cactus on steep cliff above Pacific Ocean on Plaza

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Lone cactus on steep cliff above Pacific Ocean on Plaza Sur Island




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"Embracing the Prickly Beauty of Nature's Thorny Delights" The Common Thorn Apple, also known as Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium), showcases its prickly seed pod in all its glory. Sea holly (Eryngium sp. ) stands tall with its striking blue flowers and spiky leaves, a true testament to nature's prickly wonders. Explore the enchanting Cactus garden of Guatiza in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, where Europe meets the rugged beauty of these thorny plants. Behold a cactus plant with teeth and eyes, seemingly watching over its desert domain with an air of mystery and intrigue. A fly finds solace on a cactus in Valencia's botanical garden, reminding us that even prickliness can offer respite for some creatures. Lose yourself in the mesmerizing Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza, Lanzarote; here you'll discover an array of unique cacti from around the world. The Woolly Thistle (Cirsium eriophorum) blooms proudly on limestone soil, showcasing how even delicate flowers can possess a touch of prickliness. Journey to South America's Galapagos Islands where the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia cactaceae) thrives amidst volcanic landscapes and diverse wildlife. Once again immerse yourself in the captivating Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza; this time let your senses be enchanted by their collection of rare species from across Europe. Like dandelions that may seem soft at first glance but hide their own brand of prickliness within their seeds, sometimes appearances can be deceiving too. Witness the resilience of desert life as you encounter various varieties of Desert Cacti throughout different regions across the United States – each one a testament to nature's ability to thrive in harsh conditions.