Butterflies kept me busy, but their wildflower choices couldn’t be ignored. This thistle, growing against a chain-link fence in the Mishmarot orchards, was a handsome flowerhead.

Prime bloom time, vibrant color, and beacon to swallowtails and many other butterflies, what was the name of this Israeli blossom?

Holy Thistle (Silybum Marianum). Only in the Holy land would you expect such a name. Butterflies heading to Holy thistle to find succor . . . makes sense, No?

Jeff