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Eryngium campestre - L.

Common Name Field Eryngo
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry grassy areas near the coast[17]. A rare plant in Britain.
Range Central and southern Europe, including Britain, from N. Germany to N. Africa and Afghanistan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eryngium_campestre_Sturm5.jpg
Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Eryngium campestre is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[105, 177, 183]. Root - cooked. Used as a vegetable or candied and used as a sweetmeat[46, 183]. Easily digested[7, 61].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Aromatic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Galactofuge  Stimulant

The root is antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactofuge and stimulant[4, 7]. It should be harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 2 years old[4]. The root promotes free expectoration and is very useful in the treatment of debility attendant on coughs of chronic standing in the advanced stages of pulmonary consumption[4]. Drunk freely it is used to treat whooping cough, diseases of the liver and kidneys and skin complaints[4, 238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position[1]. Prefers a light sandy soil but tolerates most soil types including lime and poor gravels[200]. The plant has deep and wide-ranging roots, it can spread freely in the garden and become difficult to eradicate[4]. Plants should be put in their final position whilst small since they resent root disturbance[200]. The plant is often used in dried flower arrangements since it retains its colour for a long time[7].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early autumn on the surface of a well-drained compost in a cold frame[200]. The seed can also be sown in spring. It usually germinates in 5 - 90 days at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring or autumn. Take care since the plant resents root disturbance[200]. Root cuttings in autumn or winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Eryngium aquaticumButton Snakeroot, RattlesnakemasterPerennial1.2 5-9  LMNDM02 
Eryngium caucasicum Perennial1.0 -  LMNDM01 
Eryngium creticumEryngoPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM11 
Eryngium graecum Perennial0.0 -  LMNDM20 
Eryngium maritimumSea Holly, Seaside eryngoPerennial0.5 4-8  LMNDM332
Eryngium pandanifolium Perennial2.5 7-10  LMNDM001
Eryngium planumPlains eryngo, Blue Cap, Eringoe, Eryngo, Flat Sea HollyPerennial0.7 5-9 MLMHNDM01 
Eryngium ternatum Perennial0.6 -  LMNDM01 
Eryngium viride Perennial0.0 -  LMNDM10 
Eryngium yuccifoliumButton EryngoPerennial1.0 4-8  LMNDM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

mervyn brown   Thu Jul 8 16:05:16 2004

E. campestre is easy to cultivate in well-drained soils, but in a location I have studied in the wild, it performs poorly due to rabbit-grazing. At this site in Kent, England, there is no evidence of the viable seed germinating in the wild.

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