Scientific Name:
Eryngium variifolium
Pronunciation:
ur-IN-jee-um var-ee-ih-FOE-lee-um
Common Name:
marble-leaf sea holly, Moroccan sea holly
Family Name:
Apiaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Leaves mostly basal (also on branched stems), rounded, white veined; flowers silvery-blue with narrow, spiny silver bracts.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like, Mounded
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Africa
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Prickly, Heavily veined
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, marbled with white veins
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Incised, Serrate, Spinose
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated, marbled with white veins
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel, Floriferous, Head-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Silver
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
subtended by sharp pointed pale blue bracts
Fruit Type:
Achene, Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Not showy,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root
Propagation:
Seed, Division - above ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
