96 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



Eryngium Giganteum. 



GREAT ERYNGO; Nat. Ord. UMBELLIFER^. 

 THIS hardy species was brought from the Caucasus in 1820. 

 The genus, though not commonly patronised as garden subjects, 

 are, nevertheless, highly ornamental, and when well grown 

 much admired. Specimens are of various heights, according to 

 position and nature of the soil ; under ordinary conditions they 

 will be 2ft. to 3ft. high at the blooming period. 



As will be inferred from the order to which the Eryngium 



FIG. 37. ERYNGIUM GIGANTEUM. 

 (One-tenth natural size.) 



belongs, the flowers are aggregate, of a changeable blue, and 

 arranged in cone-shaped heads liin. long ; the heads are neatly 

 embraced by an ample bract of prickly leaves ; the main flower 

 stem is well and evenly branched (see Fig. 37), each node being 

 furnished with leaves which clasp the stems ; they are, like those 

 of the flower bract, deeply cut and prickly ; the radical leaves are 

 very different, long stalked, large heart-shaped and toothed, of 



