Globe-thistles
What are they?
The globe-thistles are rather unusual-looking members of the Asteraceae, since their flowers are not arranged on a flat disc like most members of the family. Instead, the small, five-petalled florets are arranged in a sphere which is carried on a single stem held above the leaves.
Where are they found?
None of the species on this page is native to the UK, so if found, they are most likely to be on waste ground, roadsides banks or in urban places. Although rare as garden escapes, some roadside populations have been known for many years and now form quite extensive colonies.
Identification
The identification of the species can be made my checking details of the stiff phyllaries before the flowers open and by the colour of the flowers. Note: Echinops ritro has not been recorded as yet in our region, but it is sold as a garden plant. It has blue flowers like E. bannaticus but has revolute leaf margins (which means the edges of the leaves are rolled under, which can be seen by checking the underside of the leaves).
Common Globe-thistle Echinops exaltatus
Introduced from eastern Europe. A few colonies have persisted for a long time in East Anglia, most notably in the Norfolk Brecks. Flowers July to September. Flowers greyish-white, phyllaries strongly curved outwards towards the tips.
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Blue Globe-thistle Echinops bannaticus
Introduced from south-eastern Europe. Rare but persistent as a garden escape or throw-out. Flowers July to September. Flowers blue, phyllaries more less straight and only slightly curved outwards towards the tips.
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Glandular Globe-thistle Echinops sphaerocephalus
Introduced from south-eastern Europe. Rare but persistent as a garden escape or throw-out, particularly in coastal areas and around Cambridge. Flowers July to September. Flowers dull blue or whitish, phyllaries straight and not curved outwards towards the tips. Leaves spiny.
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