Eryngium campestre (L) Field Eryngo
NOMENCLATURE
Eryngium : from Greek: to cure indigestion and wind.
campestre : of the field.
OTHER NAMES : Watling street thistle : abundant in that street,
in Plymouth. Hundred headed thistle, Daneweed.
BSBI Picture Link to Eryngium campestre
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : pale green, glaucous perennial. Hs. ROOTS : deep, spreading rhizomes.
STEMS : ridgid, solid, 25-60 cm. Hs. UMBELS : 1-1.5cm, ovoid.
LEAVES : basal 5-20cm, coriaceous, stalked. cauline-sessile, subcordate at base,
clasping the stem, pinnately divided. Primary divisions decurrent in the rhachis.
Segments spinose-serrate, with thick prominent midrib ending in a stout spine, and
a thick cartilaginous margin. Petioles winged, = to lamina. Cauline leaves <, & < divided,
sessile, with broad spiny-margined semi-amplexicaul base. Tough, leathery.
Cotyledons contracted into a petiole.
BRACTS : 5-8, x1-3 > than capitulum, linear, lancolate, spinous apex, entire or with 1(-2)
pairs of lateral spines, bracteoles subulate, spinous, entire, 2-3 times as long as the firs.
FLOWERS : form in numerous pedunculate, ovoid capitula 1-1.5cm. White or pale blue.
Sepals 2.5mm, teeth rigid, acute or pungent, longer than the petals, prominent midrib,
which is excurrent as a stout spine. Petals narrow, erect, deeply notched tip inflexed.
Ovary with > or < flat disc at apex. Styles slightly thickened. Fl. 7-8. 2n=14, 28.
FRUIT : 2.5-5mm. Ovoid, subterete, scarcely compressed, scaly or papillose.
Commisure broad. Carpophore present. Carpels obscurely ridged vittae slender,
densely scaly. Styles 4mm, divergent to recurved. Stigma tapering. 2n=14, 28.
HABITAT : dry rough grassland near coast, waste places, roadsides.
DISTRIBUTION : introduced, established in Plymouth by 1670. Scattered through
S.Britain. Holland to S. Germany. S.W. Asia. N. Africa. N. America.
BSBI Distribution Map for Eryngium campestre (UK)
MEDICINAL USES
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS : essential oil saponin, sugar.
PARTS : rootstock and fresh flowering herb.
APPLICATION: dropsy, bladder stones, infections of urinary tract, skin disorders,
whooping cough, abdominal colic, promoting menstrual discharge: decoction
1-2 tspoons per cup water, simmer 1 mi and stand for 4-10mm. 2-3 times day.
HISTORICAL MEDICINAL USES
Promotes free expectoration & for debility in attendant chronic coughs, in advanced
stages of pulmonary consumption, roots infusion. In paralysis, chronic nervous
diseases, delirium, kidney & scorbutic complaints, bladder disease, obstructions in
liver, jaundice, diuretic, restorative, scrofula, decoction of roots. Bruised & boiled
roots in bog’s fat for broken bones, thorns.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Eryngium campestre
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (EU) Plants For a Future (UK) Bio Info (UK)
APHOTOFLORA(UK) Private Blog (USA) Nat Center for Bio Info (USA)
Plant Collection Network (UK)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002