Desert thistle
The desert thistle (Blepharis pruinosa) can grow up to 1m high. Its long spikes allows it the luxury to remain protected from predators. Even the flowers, densely clustered mainly in fours, are armed with extremely spiny bracts. Blepharis pruinosa bear pretty blue flowers which become cream-coloured to white once dry.
Desert thistle are widely distributed throughout southern Africa and in Namibia have been recorded mainly in central and northern Namibia. It grows mainly along drainage lines and sometimes in rocky habitats. There are some 20 species of Blepharis in Namibia, quite difficult to tell one from another.
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