Scientific Name:
Eryngium planum
Pronunciation:
ur-IN-jee-um PLAY-num
Common Name:
blue sea holly, flat sea holly
Family Name:
Apiaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Stems grey-white to purple, 0.7-1m tall, clumping; basal leaves ovate-elliptic, most 5-8cm long x 2-5cm wide, 7-9 palmate veins, prominent on both surfaces, base cordate, margin dentate with small spines, petioles 6-13cm long; stem leaves sessile, ovate-oblong, most 7-10cm long x 3-6cm wide, with 3-5 lanceolate lobes, leathery, margin serrate with larger spines; flowers tiny and clushered in head-like umbels, 8-15mm long x 7-13mm wide (1 to 4 may arise from common node), bracts 1.5-3cm long, blue/blue-green, Jul-Aug.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown may include E. 'Blaukappe', E. 'Blue Glitter'. and E. 'Blue Hobbit'. Similar to Mediterranean sea holly.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Green-yellow
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblong, Ovate
Margins:
Dentate, Palmately lobed, Spinose
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous, Head-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Achene-like mericarps
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root, may be invasive
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Fungal leaf spot, Root rot, Slugs or snails (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
