Eryngium Species, Eryngo, Mediterranean Sea Holly

Striking plant, which people always try to touch - ouch, watch out for the spines.

A beautiful, unusual looking plant. It really stands out. It is growing here in poorly drained, wet soils, in full sun. The soil is mo...Read Morestly red clay.
Of the two plants I have found, both growing wild, one is in red clay and the other in a marshy area. The one in red clay is somewhat larger than the other but both have many flowers on them.

I was somewhat confused by a second Latin name, Pyrenean Eryngo.

Grow in, well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun. Grows 6-18" tall and 12" wide. From Spain (Pyranees). zones 5-9.
...Read Morer /> Will self seed. Very young plants may be dug in early spring - make sure to dig down far enough to get most of the tap root. Can be air-dried for fall arrangements.

Flowers mid to late summer. Curved and prckly jaged leaves veined with silver, blue stems and sliver spined blue or gray green flowerheads.