Eryngium campestre - L.

Common Name

Field Eryngo

Family

Apiaceae

USDA hardiness

5-9

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Dry grassy areas near the coast[17]. A rare plant in Britain.

Range

Central and southern Europe, including Britain, from N. Germany to N. Africa and Afghanistan.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(0 of 5)

Weed Potential

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Eryngium campestre is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked. An asparagus substitute[105, 177, 183]. Root - cooked. Used as a vegetable or candied and used as a sweetmeat[46, 183]. Easily digested[7, 61].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Aromatic Diaphoretic Diuretic Expectorant Galactofuge Stimulant

The root is antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactofuge and stimulant[4, 7]. It should be harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 2 years old[4]. 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[4]. Drunk freely it is used to treat whooping cough, diseases of the liver and kidneys and skin complaints[4, 238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

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[200]. The plant has deep and wide-ranging roots, it can spread freely in the garden and become difficult to eradicate[4]. Plants should be put in their final position whilst small since they resent root disturbance[200]. The plant is often used in dried flower arrangements since it retains its colour for a long time[7].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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[200]. 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[200]. Root cuttings in autumn or winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Egypt (Sinai), Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan) EUROPE: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north), Egypt (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Eryngium aquaticum	Button Snakeroot, Rattlesnakemaster	Perennial	1.2	5-9		LM	N	DM	0	2
Eryngium caucasicum		Perennial	1.0	-		LM	N	DM	0	1
Eryngium creticum	Eryngo	Perennial	0.6	0-0		LM	N	DM	1	1
Eryngium graecum		Perennial	0.0	-		LM	N	DM	2	0
Eryngium maritimum	Sea Holly, Seaside eryngo	Perennial	0.5	4-8		LM	N	DM	3	3	2
Eryngium pandanifolium		Perennial	2.5	7-10		LM	N	DM	0	0	1
Eryngium planum	Plains eryngo, Blue Cap, Eringoe, Eryngo, Flat Sea Holly	Perennial	0.7	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	0	1
Eryngium ternatum		Perennial	0.6	-		LM	N	DM	0	1
Eryngium viride		Perennial	0.0	-		LM	N	DM	1	0
Eryngium yuccifolium	Button Eryngo	Perennial	1.0	4-8		LM	N	DM	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Readers comment


mervyn brown	Thu Jul 8 16:05:16 2004

E. campestre is easy to cultivate in well-drained soils, but in a location I have studied in the wild, it performs poorly due to rabbit-grazing. At this site in Kent, England, there is no evidence of the viable seed germinating in the wild.