Page "Eryngium" Paragraph 0

Eryngium is a genus in the family Apiaceae of about 230 species of annuals and perennials with hairless and usually spiny leaves, and dome-shaped umbels of flowers resembling those of thistles.

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.

Common names include Sea-holly and Eryngo, the former typically being applied to coastal species, and the latter to grassland species.