Echinops setifer

Iljin.

Giant Globe Thistle

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves 20 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Echinops setifer is a perennial globe thistle species of flowering plant in the genus Echinops, native to central and southern Japan, Korea and eastern China.

Description

A herb. It grows 1-2 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are single and greyish white. There are hairs near the base. The leaves are whitish underneath. The leaves are narrowly oval and 15-25 cm long by 7-14 cm wide. They are twice divided with 5-7 pairs of segments.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are edible when cooked.

Medicinal Uses

The root is anthelmintic, galactogogue, and beneficial for skin conditions, and has a weak antitumour action. In Korea, it is used as an emmenagogue and antidote.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

Cultivation

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well drained soil of low or medium fertility. Tolerates partial shade. Established plants are drought tolerant.

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.