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Leavenworth Eryngo

Eryngium leavenworthii

Other common name(s):

Eryngo, False Purple Thistle

Family:

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Calcareous, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

It is desirable to wear a thick pair of gloves if one cuts the flowers to protect hands from sharp spines. Excellent source of late summer and early fall color. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms July-December. Most of the plant is some shade of purple. Flowers are minute, purple, and mingled with small, spiny bracts in an elongated, terminal, head-like cluster. The leaves are deeply lobed and tipped with stiff spines.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 151. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERLE11. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=1065&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29494#null

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