Cynara
The huge rounded flowerheads with many tiny flowers produce nectar and pollen that is used by bumblebees, honeybees, leaf-cutter bees, butterflies and moths, hoverflies, beetles and a whole lot more. At the end of flowering, the seeds are favoured by goldfinches, linnets and other seed-eating birds, while thistledown is used by some to line their nests. The size and complexity of the flowering and fruiting heads makes them an excellent refuge for spiders and other small invertebrates and insectivorous birds can often be found searching through them.