Eryngium leavenworthii Torr. & A.Gray

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

Eryngium leavenworthii, commonly called Leavenworth's eryngo, is an annual plant species in the Apiaceae family native to the central United States.

Size

This plant can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Habitat and Substrate

It grows in dry rocky prairies, roadside fields, open woodlands, and waste areas, and is most often found growing in soils made of limestone or chalk.

Flowering Period

Its flowering period runs from July through September, though blooming may extend as late as November in some regions.

Flower Dimensions

Individual flower structures measure 1 1/2 inches to 3 inches in length, and approximately 1/2 inch in width.

Species Similarity

It is very often confused with thistle.

Flower and Foliage Characteristics

The flowers grow on elongated stems above spiked leaves, forming tight cone-shaped clusters of purple or wine-colored blooms that look like small fuzzy pineapples.

Etymology

It was named for Melines Conklin Leavenworth (1796–1862), the botanist credited with its discovery.