Alpine Sea Holly

Description

Eryngium alpinum (alpine sea holly, alpine eryngo or queen of the Alps) is a perennial herb in the family Apiaceae. Eryngium alpinum is a hemicryptophyte, its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis more or less erect with a few leaves. The roots are deep and robust. The stems are solitary and erect, usually with three branches on the apex and with longitudinal purple stripes. This plant generally reaches about 30–70 centimetres (12–28 in) in height, with a maximum of 100 centimetres (39 in). The basal leaves are oval or heart-shaped, 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) wide and 13–17 centimetres (5.1–6.7 in) long, with toothed hedges and a long petiole. The cauline leaves are sessile and progressively more divided.