And now for something completely different! Eryngium yuccifolium starts the growing season as a rosette of attractive bluish sword shaped leaves. As summer approaches, branched stems soar upward bearing curious spherical flower clusters. The rounded flower orbs are actually compressed umbels with tiny creamy white florets. Spiny globular seed masses follow and are held into the winter. This is a striking architectural accent plant or stalwart prairie companion that is easy to grow in sun and well drained or dry soil.
Eryngium yuccifolium is a unique member of the Carrot or Parsley Family. This robust perennial resembles a desert plant and is often compared to a yucca.
Plants originate from a sturdy taproot. The unique leaves are arranged in a basal rosette. Offsets develop from the rosette and eventually a 2-3’ tall clump of several plants forms.
Plants have stiff strap shaped leaves with scattered bristles along the margin. Leaves are thick and leathery with a bluish-green or gray-green color.
In summer a long stalked inflorescence emerges containing several 1” prickly flower globes. Each sphere contains many small white florets with a rosette of small spiny leaves at the base. The blooms are often fragrant and are usually teeming with pollinators.
Blooming occurs for about a month before the flower balls transition into globular seed clusters. Overall the flower and seed display is attractive for at least 2 months.
Plants are 2-5’ tall with 1-2’ spread.