Eryngium Yuccifolium and Planum (Umbelliferae) - Sea holly & Rattlesnake master

A famous dried flower plant, the thistle like flowers in July and August. The species name yuccifolium comes from the 3 ft. long, sword shaped leaves. The plant can grow nearly 5 ft. tall under good conditions. Likes moist soils and full sun. The native people of the midWest used the root medicinally and the fibers of the plant were used to make shoes. The planum species has more rounded leaves and puts up a small, icy blue to purple top that dries nicely.