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Common Name:

General Information

Eryngium planum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.70 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Europe through Russia to central and southwestern Asia.

Habitat

Dry soils in E. Europe[]. Locally common in orchards and cultivated areas in Kashmir at 1700 metres[]. A weed of disturbed habitats at 500 - 1500 metres in Tibet[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position[]. Prefers a light sandy soil but tolerates most soil types including lime and poor gravels[]. When grown in soils that are too rich the stems will need staking before they flop[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[].
Plants should be put in their final position whilst small since they resent root disturbance[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are some named varieties[].
A good bee plant.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of whooping cough[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn on the surface of a well-drained compost in a cold frame[]. The seed can also be sown in spring. It usually germinates in 5 - 90 days at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in early spring or autumn. Take care since the plant resents root disturbance[].
Root cuttings in autumn or winter[].