Strange looking tree with large leaves

[Jeff in St Pete]

I went up to Parrita today to visit a nursery and check out their selection. You never know what gems you can stumble upon in some of these smaller nurseries. There was a 10 year kid who was working there (family business) and he was very knowledgeable and well spoken about plants for someone his age. Anyway, he showed me this tree with these unusual leaves. They are mottled, full of spines, and were very long. The kid didn't know the name of this one, he only referred to it as "espinosa" and said it was a tree. I thought it was a cool looking plant and I my go back and buy it. Anyone know what this is or how big it gets?

[popper1]

I don't think it is a tree. I believe it is an ornamental thistle. I am not sure of the exact species but it might be a variety of Echinops ruthenicus. Perhaps the kid meant Echinops not 'espinosa'.

Edited January 20, 2009 by popper1

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks for the reply popper1. I know it's hard to tell the size of this plant in the photos but it was about 6 feet tall and definitely was forming a trunk at the bottom. I was thinking it might turn into a small tree or bush. Do thistles form hard brown trunk at the bottom?

[popper1]

I had the wrong name. The plant I am thinking is commonly called the crocodile plant or mountain thistle, and is Acanthus montanus, not an Echinops. Leaves look just like your picture. It can get 6 feet.

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks David! That's it.