Help please - she used to scatter seeds in other ppl's gardens

[Plot17B]

Hello,
Slightly dumb question coz i used to know the answer but searched t'internet and things and cannot re-find the name.....of the plant which a lady used to go around and secretly sprinkle seeds from her pocket. Always in friends and other gardens, and people were always suprised to find this "new" plant grow the next season. Always after her visits.
(I kinda like her subversive cheekyness).
It has spikey and almost teazle-style seed pods with gazillion black seeds within each. Spikey, silvery haired, dark green leaves and very angular branches.

It's named after her and there is a Mrs in the title? I'm 100% you'll all know. Thanks for thinking!
Cheers
P17B

[shirlthegirl43]

Well you are wrong coz I ain't got a clue

Intrigued now though

[lynda66]

me neither

[zazen999]

Was she a real person, or a made up one? I must admit I like her, but would have chosen a less spiky plant if it was me!

I'm totally intrigued.

[shirlthegirl43]

The only plant I can think of that might fit is eryngium - sea holly (I am not big on flowers)

[Seahorse]

Miss Rumphius?

Miss Rumphius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[smallblueplanet]

BBC - Gardening - Plants - Plant Finder - Eryngium giganteum

Miss Willmott's Ghost

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening...-Willmott.html

[digthatchick]

BBC - Gardening - Plants - Plant Finder - Eryngium giganteum

Miss Willmott's Ghost

Country notebook: Ellen Willmott - Telegraph

Yes SBP you are right here is a description from a book I have ... The name of this plant sounds like something from a horror movie and it does have a slightly ferocious look about it. Actually the common name comes out of the story of a gardener, Miss Willmott, secretly scattering Eryngium giganteum seeds around in gardens she visited. The plants would show up as if from nowhere with their ghostly flowers, thus the name Miss Willmott’s ghost.

[Plot17B]

Ha!! Fantastic SBP. Exactly the plant growing on my lottie perenial plot. I knew GYOers would come up trumps. And I promise not to forget again. I'm happy now. (These little things in life eh?).
Cheers all and thanks SBP. :-)
P17B

[Plot17B]

Ooopss...ShirlTheGirl....just reread and thanks to you too! :-) I didn't recognise the botanical name, just Miss Wilmott's name. Cheers!!!!!!!

[seasprout]

Miss Wilmot

Yes she was Miss Wilmot, the plant you are thinking about is Eryngium giganteum, however there are lots of flowering plants named after her as she was a famous or infamous gardener.

[shirlthegirl43]

Blimey - I am gobsmacked! I never know flowering plants but the teasel description reminded me of sea holly!