Echinops spinosissimus Spiny Globe-thistle
This was a common roadside plant on Rhodes most of which seemed to be in bud when we arrived. This was unsurprising as my Mediterranean Flower book says that E. spinosissimus doesn't flower until July. Most of these buds had huge spines and not having seen this plant before I wondered whether they were soft or hard.
Placing my hand rather too firmly on the spiny buds the air was quickly filled with expletives. They are hard and very sharp. This plant has more in common with a weapon than a growing organism looking more like a mace used in combat in ancient Roman games. The spiny leaves are quite different from the broader ones of Echinops ritro and other Mediterranean Echinops species. The flowers can be powder blue or pale blue or even white and lose their spiny appearance as the florets develop.
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| Echinops spinosissimus blue flowerhead | Echinops spinosissimus pale flowerhead | Echinops spinosissimus leaf | Echinops spinosissimus floret |
Near Lindos Mare Hotel, Rhodes 13th and 18th May 2010
Added on 30th May 2010