Carlina acaulis

'Stemless Carline Thistle'

[Ex. Slovenské rudohorie 680 m., Slovakia]

Asteraceae: a perennial to 50cm. Found on poor soils in dry sandy pastures and on rocky slopes, especially on limestone. Large, shiny white flowering blooms with silvery foliage. Short-stemmed, pure white blossoms with silver bracts when mature. Open on dry days, and closed in the evenings and rainy days, hence the common name, Weather Thistle. Native to Southern and Eastern Europe.

USES:

The flowering heads can be cooked and used as a globe artichoke substitute.

The plant was at one time in great demand as an aphrodisiac, it is occasionally used nowadays in the treatment of spasms of the digestive tract, gall bladder and liver disorders, dropsy, urine retention. The root has also been used in treating a range of skin complaints such as acne and eczema. A decoction of the root can be used externally to cleanse wounds or as an antiseptic gargle.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Do not cover very small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil but prefers a poor soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to about -20°C.

HARVESTED:

 

APPROX. 20 SEEDS