Eryngium campestre
Field Eryngo
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Eryngium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.45 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Uses
Edible uses
Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[2][4][5]. Root - cooked. Used as a vegetable or candied and used as a sweetmeat[9][5]. Easily digested[11][10].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The root is antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactofuge and stimulant[8][11]. It should be harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 2 years old[8]. 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[8]. Drunk freely it is used to treat whooping cough, diseases of the liver and kidneys and skin complaints[8][7].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Galactofuge
- Product or use
- Stimulant
Environment
- Range
- Central and southern Europe, including Britain, from N. Germany to N. Africa and Afghanistan.
- Habitat
- Dry grassy areas near the coast[3]. A rare plant in Britain.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
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[6]. 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[6]. Root cuttings in autumn or winter[6].
Cultivation
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[6]. The plant has deep and wide-ranging roots, it can spread freely in the garden and become difficult to eradicate[8]. Plants should be put in their final position whilst small since they resent root disturbance[6]. The plant is often used in dried flower arrangements since it retains its colour for a long time[11].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5