Eryngium
| Eryngium | |
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| Eryngium bourgatii | |
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| Genus: | Eryngium
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About 230 species, see text | |
Eryngium is a genus in the family Apiaceae of about 230 species of annual and perennial thistles with hairless and usually spiny leaves, and dome-shaped umbels of steely blue or white flowers with a whorl of spiny basal bracts. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with the centre of diversity in South America. Some species are native to rocky and coastal areas, but the majority are grassland plants.[1] Common names include sea holly (though not related to true hollies Ilex) and eryngo, the former typically being applied to coastal species, and the latter to grassland species.
Cultivation
Species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Numerous hybrids have been selected for garden use, of which E. × oliverianum[2] and E. × tripartitum[3] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Other Uses
Many species of Eryngium have a history of use. The roots have been used as vegetables or sweetmeats. Young shoots and leaves are sometimes used as an asparagus substitute. Eryngium foetidum is a culinary herb used widely in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Species
Species include:
References
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=738
- ^ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=739