DESCRIPTION

Woolly stem. Leaves alternate, elongate, lanceolate, felted with white hairs, especially on the reverse. The flower (flower head) is composed of small flowers of greenish color for female flowers and partly whitish for male flowers. They are surrounded by the star formed by the white and felted bracts which can be from 5 to 12. The fruit is an achene.

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HISTORY

Its scientific name describes its essential characters (from the Greek echinos, hedgehog, Latin spheere, ball and Greek kephele, head).

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HABITAT

It grows between 1500 m (sometimes lower) and 5000 m. Transplanted at low altitude, it quickly loses its beautiful appearance to become a simple greenish plant. Grows on limestone soil that gives it its velvety appearance.

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PARTICULARITIES

The thistle can also be eaten and has medicinal properties. In ancient times, pregnant women ate it even when they wanted to have a boy.

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THREAT

This flower is protected, do not pick it !

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