Eryngo

Eryngo (Eryngium), a genus of Umbelliferae, but of curiously thistle-like aspect, since the sessile flowers of the umbel form what is practically a capitulum. The large, spiny leaves recall those of holly, but have a glaucous bloom, which in some species gives the foliage an opalescent blue colour. These especially are cultivated in flower-gardens, but the young leaves of E. maritimum (Sea-holly) are occasionally eaten as a salad; the Mediterranean species were also valued by the ancients. Falstaff mentions the use of the candied root. An American species is also used in domestic medicine.