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Globe Thistle
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Globe Thistle

Echinops

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameGlobe Thistle
DescriptionStriking architectural perennial featuring perfectly spherical, spiky flower heads in stunning shades of metallic steel-blue, violet-blue, or white atop tall, sturdy stems. Flowers resemble sea urchins or porcupines, composed of hundreds of tiny tubular florets. Blooms summer through fall, creating dramatic vertical accents and attracting swarms of bees and butterflies. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, thriving in hot, dry conditions. Excellent fresh or dried cut flower with long vase life.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusEchinops
TribeCardueae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaBr ⊕ ⚥ K0 C(5) A(5) G(2)

Composite flower head (capitulum). Each floret - Bracteate (spiny bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, no sepals (modified to pappus or absent), 5 fused petals forming tube, 5 fused stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Hundreds of florets form spherical head

Features
  • Name 'Echinops' from Greek 'echinos' (hedgehog) and 'opsis' (appearance) for spiky, spherical flower heads. 'Globe Thistle' describes round shape. Not true thistle (Cirsium) but related. About 120 Echinops species. Cultivated since 16th century. Popular in Victorian gardens
  • Flower heads 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, perfectly spherical, composed of 200+ tiny tubular florets. Colors include metallic steel-blue, violet-blue, powder blue, or white. Spiky appearance from protruding stamens and bracts. Blooms summer through fall (July-September). Flowers open from top of globe downward
  • Herbaceous perennial that blooms mid to late summer. Long-lived (10-15+ years). Clump-forming with deep taproot. Foliage deeply cut, thistle-like, silvery-green underneath. Flowers excellent for drying. Drought tolerant once established. Self-seeds moderately
  • Grows 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall, dwarf varieties 2-3 feet. Clumps spread 2-3 feet. Lifespan of 10-15+ years. Propagated from seed (sow in spring, blooms second year), root cuttings, or division (difficult due to taproot). Deep taproot makes transplanting challenging
  • Native to central and southern Europe, Mediterranean region, western Asia (Turkey, Iran, Russia). Found in dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and disturbed areas. Now cultivated worldwide. Naturalized in some regions. Thrives in hot, dry climates
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours). Thrives in average to poor, well-drained soil. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Dislikes wet soil (causes rot). Minimal watering needed. Cut back after flowering. Very low maintenance. Tolerates heat, poor soil, and neglect. Hardy zones 3-9
  • Excellent cut flower (fresh or dried, lasts weeks). Major pollinator magnet—bees and butterflies swarm blooms. Deer and rabbit resistant (spiny). Perfect for xeriscape, prairie, and Mediterranean gardens. Architectural focal point. Tolerates poor soil, heat, drought. Self-seeds moderately. Symbolizes independence. Used in herbal medicine

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificEchinops
English (Alternate)Echinops, Blue Globe Thistle, Great Globe Thistle, Glandular Globe-thistle
Hindiगोरखमुंडी (Gorakhmundi), ऊंटकटिला (Utakatira), ऊंटकटेली(Oontkateli)
Tamilவிசணுகரந்தை (Visanukarandai), கொட்டைக்கரந்தை (Kottaikkarandai)
Teluguగోళాకారపు చుక్కపువ్వు (gōḷākārapu chukka pūvvu), ముళ్ళగోళీ పువ్వు (mulla gōlī pūvvu)
Malayalamഅടയ്ക്കാമണിയൻ (Aḍakkāmaṇiyan), മിരംഗണി (Mirangaṇi)
Kannadaಬ್ರಹ್ಮದಂಡಿ (Brahmadandi), ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದಂಡೆ (Brahmadande)
Sanskritमुण्डि (Mundi), श्रावणी (Shravani), तपस्विनी (Tapasvini)
Bengaliমুরমুরিযা (Murmuriya), কানতঁল (Kantalu), উততি (Utati)
FrenchChardon Globe
RussianМордовник (Mordovnik)
Spanishcardo yesquero, cardo abadejo, abadejo, cabeza de erizo, cabeza de viejo, cardo azul
GermanKugeldistel

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.