Tall globe thistle (Echinops exaltatus, 2: 15)

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Schrad.

Bibliography: 2: 15

Year: 1811

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Echinops

Vegetable: False

Observations: Romania to N. & W. Balkan Pen.

Description

The Tall Globe Thistle, scientifically known as Echinops exaltatus, is a striking and robust member of the Asteraceae family. Esteemed for its unique and ornamental appearance, this perennial plant boasts a growth range that spans from Romania to the northern and western parts of the Balkan Peninsula.

Echinops exaltatus is characterized by its tall, sturdy stems and spherical flower heads, which can add a distinct architectural quality to garden landscapes. The flower heads are typically a vivid blue or white, composed of numerous tiny florets densely packed together, creating the globe-like structure for which the plant is named. These globe thistles bloom in mid to late summer, attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which contribute to their ecological value.

The stems of the Tall Globe Thistle can reach impressive heights, often standing over 1.5 meters tall, making them a prominent feature in any setting. The leaves are equally distinctive—deeply lobed and spiny, with a silvery-green hue that adds to the plant’s visual appeal. This thistle’s foliage and structural form make it an excellent choice for adding texture and height to perennial borders and mixed plantings.

Adaptable and hardy, Echinops exaltatus thrives in well-drained soils and full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. Its drought-resistant nature makes it suitable for xeriscaping and other low-water gardening approaches. Additionally, despite its rugged appearance and spiny leaves, the Tall Globe Thistle requires minimal maintenance, proving to be a resilient addition to the garden.

In summary, Echinops exaltatus is an exceptional plant for gardeners seeking to introduce unique structural elements and vibrant colors into their landscapes. Its robust nature, coupled with its striking aesthetic qualities, makes it a notable species within the realms of ornamental horticulture and ecological gardening in regions from Romania to the Balkans. This text was referenced from “2: 15,” as authored by Schrad.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig hjertespand, citronmelisse, høj tidselkugle, kransburre, tidselkugle
Nor: borremynte, løvehale, sitronmelisse
Swe: citronmeliss, kransborre, ullig hjärtstilla, balkaninpallo-ohdake, harmaapallo-ohdake, grå bolltistel, äkta hjärtstilla, balkanbolltistel
Deu: drüsenlose kugeldistel, hohe kugeldistel
Eng: globe thistle, globe-thistle, tall globe thistle, tall globethistle, tall globe-thistle, russian globe-thistle
Fin: hurtanminttu, nukula, balkaninpallo-ohdake, harmaapallo-ohdake
Fra: oursin de hongrie, boulette de hongrie, échinope de russie, échinops de hongrie
Pol: przegorzan węgierski
Nob: balkankuletistel
Nno: balkankuletistel
Ces: bělotrn statný
Nld: stekelige kogeldistel
Cym: ysgall pengrwn, ysgallen bengron
En: Tall globe thistle, Globe thistle, Tall globethistle, Globe-thistle, Tall globe-thistle, Russian globe-thistle
Ar: قنفذي مرتفع
Cs: Bělotrn statný
Da: Almindelig Hjertespand, Citronmelisse, Høj tidselkugle, Kransburre, Tidselkugle
Nl: Stekelige kogeldistel
Et: Kõrge mesiohakas
Fi: Balkaninpallo-ohdake, Harmaapallo-ohdake, Hurtanminttu, Nukula, Balkaninpallo-ohdake, harmaapallo-ohdake
Fr: Boulette de Hongrie, Échinope de Russie, Oursin de Hongrie, Échinops de Hongrie
De: Drüsenlose Kugeldistel, Hohe Kugeldistel, Ungarische Kugeldistel
It: Cardo-pallottola semplice
Ml: ഉത്കണ്ടകം
No: Borremynte, Løvehale, Sitronmelisse
Nb: Balkankuletistel
Nn: Balkankuletistel
Pl: Przegorzan węgierski
Sv: Grå bolltistel, Citronmeliss, Kransborre, Ullig hjärtstilla, Balkaninpallo-ohdake, harmaapallo-ohdake, Äkta hjärtstilla, Balkanbolltistel
Cy: Ysgallen bengron, Ysgall Pengrwn

Synonyms

• Sphaerocephalus exaltatus (Kuntze)
• Echinops eglandulosus (Schur)
• Echinops strictus (Fisch. ex Sims.)
• Sphaerocephalus commutatus (Kuntze)
• Echinops mollis (Schur)
• Echinops commutatus (Juratzka)
• Echinops globifer (Janka)
• Echinops commutatus f. sectatus (A.T.Szabó)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Italy (native)
• Romania (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Eric Parker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2011 by Stefan Gerster (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Stéphane Rodier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2020 by Margarita1708 Margarita1708 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2018 by Mariken Lorie (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 28, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 28, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Daniel CAHEN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Marie-Françoise Parais (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jul 16, 2022 by Stefania Trapani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Mc Cactus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Flynn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Marie-Françoise Parais (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken Oct 21, 2018 by Sieradzki Mark (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2020 by Masha (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:202484-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5392683)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Echinops exaltatus Schrad.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 7