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

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

Description

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It is pollinated by bees, beetles and flies, and tolerates poor soil. It is self fertile and require minimal water.[2] The plant is edible and is found from October to April and will bloom from April to August. It is widely available in the Mediterranean.[1] The name Creticum refers to the Island of Crete.

The plant is also 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]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Plants in Israel: Field Eryngo".
  2. ^ "Plant database entry for Eryngium creticum with 5 images and 8 data details".
  3. ^ Jaghabir, Madi (1991). "Hypoglycemic effects of Eryngium creticum". Archives of Pharmacal Research. 14 (4): 295–297. doi:10.1007/BF02876873. S2CID 71408657.