Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
(For sale in the Cottage Garden section of the shop)
Striking-looking perennial wildflower with vivid steel-blue tints on stems, leaves and flowers. The leaves are similar-looking to Holly leaves and the round floewrheads have long, pointed brachts radiating out. Flowering period is July to October and it can grow to around 2 ft (60 cm) high. Found in coastal areas and on sand dunes, so an ideal plant if you live by the coast. " Eryngium" comes from the Greek to cure indigestion and wind (errugggarein), "maritimum" refers to the plant growing by the sea. Its name may also come from "eerungos", meaning beard of a goat, possibly due to the plant's appearance. Plutarch mentioned that if a goat took Sea Holly in its mouth "it causeth her first to stand still and afterwards the whole flock, until such time as the shepherd takes it from her". Plant is also known as Eryngo, Sea Hulver and Sea Holme. Its roots penetrate deeply, often reaching several feet in length.
Linnaeus recommended boiling the young flowering shoots - the roots, boiled or roasted, taste like chestnuts. Candied Sea Holly roots were sold in the 17th century and earlier. The plant is diuretic, stimulant and expectorant. It is good for paralysis and nervous disorders, and good for the liver in cases of jaundice. Was applied to broken bones and thorns in flesh after bruising the roots and boiling them in hog's fat. The roots have been used as an aphrodisiac.
Plant in sun, well-drained soil.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*