| Eryngium alpinum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Eryngium |
| Species: | E. alpinum |
| Binomial name | |
| Eryngium alpinum L. |
|
Eryngium alpinum (Alpine Sea Holly or Queen of the Alps) is a herbaceous perennial plant of Eryngium genus, belonging to the Apiaceae family.
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The genus name (Eryngium) is probably derived from the Greek "erungion", a word that recalls the hedgehog. Otherwise it could come from "eruma" (=protection, defense), with reference to the thorny leaves of the plants of this genus. The species name ("alpinum") derives from the area of origin of flowers.
The biological form of Eryngium alpinum is hemicryptophyte scapose,[1] as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves. The roots are deep and robust.
The stems are solitary and erect, usually with three branches on the apex and with longitudinal purple stripes in the central part. This plant reaches on average 30–70 centimetres (12–28 in) in height,[1] with a maximum of 100 centimetres (39 in). The basal leaves are oval or approximately heart-shaped, 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) wide and 13–17 centimetres (5.1–6.7 in) long,[1] with toothed hedges and a long petiole. The cauline leaves are sessile and progressively more and more deeply divided.[1]
The inflorescences are located at the top of the main branches and produced in dense umbels 4 cm long and 2 cm diameter. They are bright green at the base and blue amethystine (almost cobalt) in the upper part (the basal bracts). These bracts are stiff, bipinnatifid, with bristly, almost spiny or frayed lobes. They vary from 12 to 18 and are up to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long.[1]
The flowers are very small (2 mm), the peripheral flowers are unisexual (or sterile), while the internal (or central) flowers are hermaphroditic. Both have five petals (pentamerous) and are actinomorphic. Flowering period extends from July through September.[1] Pollination is granted by insects of various species. The fruit is an ovoidal achene densely spiny, about 4 to 6 mm in diameter.[1]
This plant is native of the Alps, Jura and northwestern Balkan mountains. It is present in Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.[2] [3]
Due to the indiscriminate collection this plant is now very rare. It grows in subalpine scrubs, rocky areas and wet pastures, preferably in limestone and moist or wet climate, at an altitude of 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft) above sea level.[1] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for the pale flowerhead bracts and stark growth form to add contrast in gardens.