The terms “firth” and “loch” are of Gaelic origin and used to describe water areas in Scotland. A firth is a sea inlet, usually formed through glaciation; Moray Firth is Scotland’s largest firth. A loch is a lake or a long and narrow indentation of a coastline. Loch Lomond, at 75 square kilometers is the largest lake in Scotland.
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Cirsium vulgare - The spear thistle is a biennial plant, a plant needing two years to complete its lifecycle; the rosette forms in the first year, the flowering stems form in the second year. Spear thistles are ruderal plants. This is a plant species able to adapt or colonize landscapes recently disturbed by natural or human activity. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for pollinating insects and the seeds are eaten by various birds. A long downy pappus, tufts of hairy fibers attached to the end of the seed, allow the wind to assist in seed dispersal.
