Carlina acaulis subsp. caulescens is the well-known silver thistle of the alps, completely prostrate, its large silver 'flowers' lighting up the meadows. In fact the flowers are the central brown boss of stamens, but they are surrounded by the striking bracts, which look and feel spiky. Open on dry days and closed in the evenings and in the rain.

The silver thistle; wonderful spiky silver bracts around a brown centre.