Globe Thistle
Echinops setifer

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Echinops setifer is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Low mountains, C. and S. Japan. Mountain slopes in China. Open grassy areas in Korea.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The root is anthelmintic, galactogogue, skin. It has a weak antitumour action. It is used in Korea as an emmenagogue and antidote.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well drained soil of low or medium fertility. Tolerates partial shade. Established plants are drought tolerant.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 9 weeks at 25°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in mid spring and is then planted out into its permanent position in late summer or the autumn. Division in autumn. Root cuttings in the winter.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

E. sphaerocephalus. non L.