Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Young shoots - cooked[1][2][3]. They are normally blanched by excluding light from the growing plant, and are then used as an asparagus substitute[4][5][6]. They are said to be palatable and nourishing[7].
Root - cooked[4]. Used as a vegetable or candied and used as a sweetmeat[8][3][5]. Palatable and nutritious[7], it is slightly sweet and smells of carrots[9]. The boiled or roasted roots are said to resemble parsnips or chestnuts in flavour[4][6].
Leaves
Root
Material uses
The extensive root system helps to bind sand on the sea shore[9].
There are no material uses listed for Eryngium maritimum.Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Sea holly roots were collected on a large scale in the 17th and 18th centuries in England and were candied then used as restorative, quasi-aphrodisiac lozenges[10]. The plant is still used in modern herbalism where it is valued especially for its diuretic action[11].
The root is to be aphrodisiac, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[7][12][13]. 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[7]. It is used in the treatment of cystitis, urethritis, as a means to alleviate kidney stones (it is unlikely that it dissolves the stones, but it probably helps to retard their formation), and to treat enlargement or inflammation of the prostate gland[11]. Drunk freely, it is used to treat diseases of the liver and kidneys[7][10]. Used externally as a poultice, the dried powdered root aids tissue regeneration[14]. The root should be harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 2 years old[7].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Earth stabiliser
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
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[13]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Germination can be very slow[7], although another report says that the seed 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[13].
Root cuttings in autumn or winter[13].Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Eryngium maritimum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Requires a deep well-drained soil and a sunny position[15]. Prefers a light sandy saline soil but tolerates most soil types including lime and poor gravels[13][14]. Plants are best grown in a hot dry position[16][17]. Established plants are drought tolerant[18].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[16]. Sea holly has very long roots that penetrate deeply in the soil and are often several feet long[7]. These roots are sweetly scented[19]. The plant should be placed in its final position whilst small since it resents root disturbance[13]. Although a sea-shore plant, it is amenable to garden cultivation[7].
A good bee plant[20].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Eryngium maritimum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Eryngium maritimum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Eryngium maritimum
Genus
Eryngium
Family
Umbelliferae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
- Salinity
- Drought
- Strong wind
- Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Fertility
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
References
- ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.2 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (1985-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.24.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.2 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
- ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.10 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 8.08.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
- ? 9.09.19.29.3 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
- ? 10.010.110.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
- ? 11.011.111.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
- ? 12.012.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
- ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.613.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 14.014.114.2 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
- ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? 16.016.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
- ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
- ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
- ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
- ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)
- ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
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