Echinops polyceras

Echinops polyceras
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Echinops
Species:	E. polyceras
Binomial name
Echinops polyceras Boiss.
Synonyms
Echinops blancheanus Boiss. Echinops spinosus auct. non L.

Echinops polyceras is a Eurasian species of globe-thistle belonging to the tribe Cardueae within the family Asteraceae.

Description

Echinops polyceras is a hemicryptophyte, its spinescence represented by bracts and leaves. It is non-succulent, and perennial. The leaves are alternately placed, one leaf per node, and rosette. The leaves are dissected, pinnate or bipinnate. Stipule is absent.

Atop each stem is an almost perfectly spherical inflorescence up to 8 cm in diameter, often having radial, long, thorny projections. The florescence comprises dark blue florets. It flowers from March to June. It produces fruits from April to July, and disperses seeds from July to November.

Range

Its range could be described as Irano-Turanian.

Habitat

Its habitat is batha (garrigue, phrygana), desert slopes, hard rock outcrops, and shrub-steppes.

Ecology

Drought resistance: Echinops polyceras is salt resistant and is a glycophyte. It could be synanthropic as well as mostly natural.

Etymology

It is also known by other common names as spiny globe-thistle, and Blanche globe-thistle