Carlina acaulis aka Stemless Carline Thistle

Carlina acaulis is a low plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its names include stemless carline thistle and alpine thistle. Its native range runs from Europe to the Caucasus. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in dry, sandy pastures and on rocky slopes. They often grow on limestone, where the soil is poor. Kew places the species in subalpine or subarctic climates.

Plants reach about 0.7 feet (0.2 metres) tall. They spread about 1 foot (0.3 metres) wide. The species is a perennial, though some plants behave as biennials. Plants may be short-lived, and some die after flowering. Plants For A Future records flowers in June. Seeds ripen from July to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees, moths and butterflies pollinate them. The plant can also set seed through self-fertilisation.

Grow it in full sun, with soil that drains well. It cannot grow in shade. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils with good drainage. Poor soil suits it, and it prefers neutral to alkaline conditions. It also tolerates mildly acid soil and very alkaline ground. Dry or moist soil can suit the plant. Once established, it can cope with drought. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. It also reports survival at about −20°C. Avoid disturbing the roots, and plant young plants in their final site early.

This small plant can grow in cultivated beds. Its flower heads also have value for dried arrangements. Dried heads retain their form for a long time. Both fresh and dried heads react to moisture in the air. Flowers on living plants close as rain draws near. Dried heads can serve as simple humidity indicators. Sow seed on the surface in a cold frame in spring. Germination takes about four to eight weeks at 15°C.

The cooked flower heads can serve as small artichoke substitutes. Preparing them takes care because of their small size. The root is also listed as edible, without preparation details. The root has a history of herbal use for digestive and skin complaints. Such use does not establish that it works. Large root doses can cause vomiting and strong laxative effects. Plants For A Future reports protection in the wild because of rarity.