Eryngium L.

7 species in Aust. (4 native, 3 naturalized); all states and territories except NT

Glabrous herbs. Leaves usually with rigid spiny lobes, alternate near the base, opposite or whorled under the flowering branches or peduncles. Flowers sessile, in compound heads or short spikes, with a bract under each flower; the outer bracts, and sometimes the inner, much longer than the flowers, rigid, pungent pointed. Calyx lobes rigid, acute or pungent. Petals with a long inflexed point. Fruit ovoid, scarcely compressed, covered with bladdery scales. Plants resembling thistles.