Eryngium maritimum L.

Spice Flower In the field

Family: UMBELLIFERAE (APIACEAE)

Genus: Eryngium

Catalan common name: Card marí. Card panical marí.

Spanish common name: Cardo corredor marino.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Some regions

Uses and properties: Aphrodisiac. Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Beaches and dunes, sandy soils.

Characteristics: The beach thistle is characterised by its hard, pointed leaves which are light grey in colour. The flowers are grouped in compact glomerules which can take on bluish hues, as can the leaves near the inflorescence. It has a rhizome which can reach quite a depth, thereby anchoring the plant in the mobile substrate of sandy areas.