Eryngium spinosepalum
Eryngium spinosepalum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Apiaceae |
Genus: | Eryngium |
Species: | E. spinosepalum |
Binomial name | |
Eryngium spinosepalum Mathias | |
Eryngium spinosepalum is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common name spinysepal eryngo, or spiny-sepaled button celery. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the eastern Central Valley and adjacent Sierra Nevada foothills. It is a plant of vernal pools and similar wet habitat in the hills and grasslands. This is an erect perennial herb growing up to about 75 centimeters tall with a thick, hairless branching stem. The leaves are widely lance-shaped to oblong, edged with sharp, pointed lobes, and up to 35 centimeters in length. The inflorescence is an array of spherical flower heads each up to 2 centimeters wide and surrounded by several narrow, pointed bracts which may be edged in spines. The heads bloom in white petals.