Eryngium campestre

Field eryngo, Snakeroot

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves, Root 20,014 iNaturalist observations

foodmedicinalornamental

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Summary

Eryngium campestre, known as field eryngo, or Watling Street thistle, is a species of Eryngium, which is also used medicinally. A member of the carrot family Apiaceae, it is a hairless, greenish perennial plant with tough spiny leaves.

Description

A short perennial herb. The leaves at the base are leathery. They are oval and have 3 lobes. They have spiny teeth. The stalks do not have wings. The leaves on the stems do not have stalks. They clasp the stem. The flowers are pale greenish-white or greenish yellow. They are in rounded or spreading heads. They are 10-15 mm across. There are 6-7 bracts. These are sword shaped and 15-45 mm long.

Edible Uses

Young shoots can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The root is also edible cooked — it can be prepared as a vegetable or candied and eaten as a sweetmeat, and is considered easily digested.

Traditional Uses

Young shoots are used as a substitute for asparagus. They are also used in soups. The roots can be candied and eaten. They are also cooked as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses

The root is antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactofuge, and stimulant. It should be harvested in autumn from plants at least 2 years old. The root promotes free expectoration and is considered very useful in treating the debility associated with chronic coughs in the advanced stages of pulmonary consumption. Drunk freely, it is also used to treat whooping cough, diseases of the liver and kidneys, and skin complaints.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in dry habitats. It is often on stony ground and in the Mediterranean can be on the coast or inland.

Where It Grows

Albania, Andorra, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Croatia, Europe, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position. Prefers a light sandy soil but tolerates most soil types including lime and poor gravels. The plant has deep and wide-ranging roots, it can spread freely in the garden and become difficult to eradicate. Plants should be put in their final position whilst small since they resent root disturbance. The plant is often used in dried flower arrangements since it retains its colour for a long time.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn, placed on the surface of a well-drained compost in a cold frame. Sowing in spring is also possible. Germination typically occurs in 5–90 days at 20°C. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse through their first winter, then plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division can be done in early spring or autumn, though care should be taken as the plant resents root disturbance. Root cuttings can be taken in autumn or winter.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are 230 Eryngium species. It is used in medicine.

Also Known As

Bikacsipke, Bikacsoke, Boga dikeni, Cardidda, Cardo corredor, Cardocuca, Csipke, Kotrljan obicni, Macskatovis, Panical, Panicauru, Poljska možina, Seker dikeni, Szehajtitovis

References (24)

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