Echinops spinosissimus aka Echinops Spinosissimus

Echinops spinosissimus is a perennial known as spiny globe thistle. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range centres on the Mediterranean region. Records span southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. These include Greece, Italy, Turkey, Cyprus, Morocco, and Egypt. It also occurs in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows in fields and rocky places.

This plant reaches about 2.6 feet [0.8 metres] in height. It flowers from June to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The supplied species accounts give no further flower details. They also lack descriptions of its leaves, stems, and fruit. The RHS lists Echinops viscosus and Echinops spinosus as synonyms. These names may help when checking older plant records.

Grow this species in full sun with soil that drains well. It does not grow in shade. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils can all suit it. Drainage matters more than soil texture in the supplied guidance. It grows in soils with low or medium fertility. Poor soil is therefore not a barrier to growth. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. Soil may be dry or moist, provided drainage remains good. Established plants tolerate drought. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9 for this species.

Cultivated beds are a listed garden setting for this plant. Its summer bloom period offers a clear seasonal role there. Propagate it from seed, by division, or with root cuttings. Sow seed in a cold frame in early spring. At 25°C, germination takes about three to nine weeks. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Plant them outside in summer. Another option is outdoor sowing in mid-spring. Move those plants to their final sites in late summer or autumn. Divide plants in autumn; take root cuttings in winter.

The plant yields gum that people use for chewing. PFAF gives it a low food-use rating of one out of five. It records no known medicinal uses or hazards. That does not establish safety for every person or pet. The supplied accounts name no pests or diseases. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.