Eryngium Flowers
Name : Eryngium Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Eryngium, (Eryngium maritimum)
Eryngium Description
Eryngium is a genus comprising of about 230 species of annuals and perennials in the family Apiaceae. Eryngium has hairless and usually spiny leaves, and dome-shaped umbels of thistle-like flowers. Eryngium is native to Siberia, the Balkans and Alpine regions. Today the genus has a worldwide distribution, with the centre of diversity in South America. Some Eryngium species are native to rocky and coastal areas, but most happen to be grassland plants. Eryngium came to Western Europe in 1567 and has been in cultivation ever since. Eryngium was originally grown for its healing properties.
Common names include Sea-holly, Blue hobbit, Thistle, and Eryngo. The common name Sea-holly is typically used for coastal species, and Eryngo refers to the grassland species.
Eryngium possesses raspberry-like flower heads clustered in tight umbels, with a whorl of spiny basal bracts.
Eryngium is often grown in gardens for its enigmatic, metallic bluish flowers and upper foliage. The basal foliage is a pale grey or silvery green. Eryngiums are available in all shades of blue-green from navy with bottle green, through steel blues and gunmetal, to a brilliant sky-blue.
Eryngiums grow from 5 to 6 feet high and spread up to 2 feet, depending upon the variety. Their leaves are evergreen, sword-shaped and grey-green in colour with spines at the edges. Small, rounded flowers appear in late summer and stay till fall. Eryngium flowers resemble thistles and are borne on branched stems.
Eryngiums or Sea Hollies like light, well drained and sandy loam in a warm, sunny position. If your garden soil is heavy, try mixing sand, grit and compost into it. Eryngiums don't like to be disturbed, so they should be planted in their permanent position. Eryngiums propagate by division in the spring, by sowing seeds in the fall or by root cuttings in the winter.
Eryngium is a commonly used cut flower in fresh as well as dry flower arrangements. Eryngium is a popular filler flower particularly in arrangements with a "woodsy" or "fall" theme. Eryngium has a long vase life of about 12-16 days, to add more time to their vase life, cut them before they are completely open.
Eryngium maritimum is a perennial species native to Europe and often found on sea shores. E. eburneum is another variety with green flowers and white stamens, E. alpinum flowers are light blue, while those of E. amethystinum are pale violet blue.
Other popular varieties include E. giganteum (light gray); E. bourgatii ( light blue); E. planum (steel blue); E. violetta (purple blue) and E. aquaticum which is native of NE. U.S. and is commonly called Button Snakeroot.
Eryngium Meaning
Eryngium is a majestic flower and over the years it has come to signify the meaning “Austerity”, and “Independence”.
In fairy tales, Eryngium or the thistle often symbolizes An Enduring Love; that will last in spite of pain and suffering.
Eryngium Mythology
Eryngium or the thistle has been mentioned in Greek mythology as well. According to legend, Aphrodite presented Phaon with a thistle; this depicts her way of ensnaring him on the prickles.
Scottish heraldry states that once an invading Viking trod upon a thistle, and alerted the Scots about his presence and so the Order of the Thistle has the motto – “nemo me impune lacessit” which roughly translates to "no one attacks me and gets away with it"
Eryngiums have a found different uses throughout history. Their roots have been used as vegetables or for sweetmeats while young shoots and leaves are sometimes used as an asparagus substitute. In some species such as Eryngium yuccifolium and Eryngium maritimum, the roots are potent inflammation modulators whereas Eryngium foetidum is a culinary herb used widely in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
