Echinops ritro
L.
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(c) Vadim Prokhorov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Vadim Prokhorov
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(c) Irina_Oriolus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Irina_Oriolus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaEchinops ritro, the southern globe thistle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, from Spain east to Turkey, Ukraine, and Belarus, and western and central Asia east to Mongolia. The species is sparingly naturalised in scattered locations in Canada and the United States.
Description
Perennial growing 0.5 m tall at a fast rate. Hardy to UK zone 3. Flowers June to August. Hermaphrodite, insect-pollinated. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, prefers well-drained conditions, and can grow in nutrient-poor soil. Grows in mildly acid to basic soils. Requires full sun. Adaptable to dry or moist soil and tolerates drought.
Edible Uses
No edible uses are known for this plant.
Traditional Uses
The stem is eaten fresh like cucumbers.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The root is both anti-inflammatory and galactogogue. It is used medicinally to treat breast abscesses with inflammation, mastitis, insufficient milk production in nursing mothers, and breast distension.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Central Asia, Europe, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Türkiye,
Cultivation
Succeeds in a sunny position in any well drained soil of low or medium fertility. Established plants are drought tolerant. There are a number of named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. The flowers are often used for dried flower displays. If all the flowers are removed early in the season, the plant will often produce a second flush of bloom later in the summer.
Propagation
Sow seed in early spring in a cold frame; germination typically occurs in 3–9 weeks at 25°C. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer. Seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in mid spring and transplanted to its permanent position in late summer or autumn. Propagation is also possible by division in autumn or by root cuttings taken in winter.
Other Uses
No other uses are known for this plant.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Cirpma kenger
References (1)
- Gunes, S. et al, 2018, Survey of wild food plants for human consumption in Karaisali (Adana-Turkey). Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 17(2), April 2018, pp 290-298
