Closeup of a branch from a dead thistle plant. The stem is almost black and has a coarse texture that follows the curvature of the branch. In the upper right is the remains of a thistle blossom, but all that is left are long, thin thorns. The branches become blurry, as is the background. Only the thorns are in sharper focus.

Closeup of a branch from a dead thistle plant. The stem is almost black and has a coarse texture that follows the curvature of the branch. In the upper right is the remains of a thistle blossom, but all that is left are long, thin thorns. The branches become blurry, as is the background. Only the thorns are in sharper focus.