Crete eryngo, Small-headed blue eryngo
Eryngium creticum
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A herb which keeps growing from year to year. Sometimes it is an annual. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are erect and violet-blue. They have many branches. The leaves can be oval or rounded. The base is heart shaped. They have teeth or 3 lobes. The leaves are leathery and on long stalks. The flower head is violet blue and spreading. The flowers are in round heads. These are 5-10 mm across. There are 5-7 bracts. There are 1 or 2 pairs of spines at the base.
There are 230 Eryngium species.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in wasteland in grassy and stony areas. It grows in dry habitats in waste places and in cliff crevices.
Countries/locations it is found in
Cyprus, Europe, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, Palestine, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The leaves and stems are preserved in vinegar and also eaten raw in salads. They are used in pickles. The roots are eaten raw or cooked.
Edible parts
Leaves, stems, roots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Beektire, Cistok, Deve dikeni, Ecirok, Ekkeyde, Encero, Eryngo, Goz dikeni, Ikkeyde, Kazayagi, Kurs'nneh, Mangallo, Pagkalos, Qarsa'neh, Sifenok, Striye bergan