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Erect perennial herbs. Leaves and bracts spinous margined; leaves simple (in Bhutanese species). Inflorescence dichotomously branched and flowers densely crowded in simple umbels of oblong heads sessile on a whorl of radiating bracts. Bracteoles about as long as flowers, lanceolate. Calyx teeth rigid, subulate. Petals ovate-oblong, inwardly curved at apex, about as long as calyx teeth. Stylopodium obsolete. Fruit obovoid, subterete, covered with minute rounded scales; ribs obsolete.
Eryngium foetidum L.
Stems 10–50cm, leafless, glabrous. Leaves all basal, almost rosetted, oblanceolate, 4–12 x 1.3–2 cm, obtuse, margin regularly serrate, base attenuate, glabrous. Bracts oblong-elliptic, lower ones lobed or toothed, upper ones entire, 2.5–4 x 0.5–1.5cm, margins and veins pale, coriaceous. Flower heads 6–8 x 4–5mm; bracteoles 1.5–2mm. Calyx teeth c 1.5mm. Petals greenish yellow. Fruit (mature?) c 1mm, covered with vesicles.
Bhutan: S—Phuntsholing district (Phuntsholing).
Ecology: In garden, apparently
cultivated. 350m.
Flowers June.
Specimen List [5479]
Note: Used as a culinary flavouring. Native of Central America.
