Eryngium creticum

Eryngium creticum, or the field eryngo, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Greece, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It is known in Lebanon as قرصعنة and in Israel as חרחבינה מכחילה.^[1]

Eryngium creticum
Eryngnium creticum flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Eryngium
Species:	E. creticum
Binomial name
Eryngium creticum Lam.

Description

It is pollinated by bees, beetles and flies, and tolerates poor soil. It is self-fertile and requires minimal water.^[2] The plant is found from October to April and blooms from April to August.^[1]

Etymology

The name creticum refers to the island of Crete.

Uses

The plant is used medicinally. Its stems are used to make an anti-tussive tea that is also used for kidney inflammation. It is also used as a remedy for scorpion stings in Jordan and to treat hypoglycemia.^[3]