sea holly
Noun: 1. A widely cultivated southern European plant of the genus Acanthus, characterized by whitish flowers with purple veins. 2. A European evergreen perennial plant of the genus Eryngium, specifically Eryngium maritimum, which has twisted, spiny leaves and is naturalized on the east coast of the United States. Its roots were historically used as an aphrodisiac.
- The sea holly is prized in coastal gardens for its unique, spiky blue flower heads and silvery foliage.
- Botanists noted that the sea holly growing on the dunes was the species, not the .
- Its roots were once harvested, as this particular sea holly was believed to have medicinal properties.
- The term can be used metonymically to refer to the distinctive, holly-like appearance of the plant itself, which is an adaptation to harsh coastal conditions.
- The garden's color scheme relied on the steely blue of the sea holly and the grey of the lamb's ear.
- Eryngo: Another common name for plants in the genus, including sea holly.
- Eryngium maritimum: The specific botanical name for the coastal European species often called sea holly.
- Acanthus mollis: The specific botanical name for the southern European "bear's breeches" plant also referred to as sea holly in some contexts.
- Eryngo (for the species)
- Bear's breeches (for the species; this is a more common name for it)
The word "sea holly" refers to two distinct botanical genera: 1. Primarily and most commonly, it denotes spiny, coastal plants of the genus Eryngium (family Apiaceae), known for their thistle-like appearance. 2. In some historical or specialized horticultural contexts, it can also refer to a cultivated Acanthus species (family Acanthaceae) from southern Europe. The context usually clarifies which plant is meant.
- widely cultivated southern European acanthus with whitish purple-veined flowers
- European evergreen eryngo with twisted spiny leaves naturalized on United States east coast; roots formerly used as an aphrodisiac