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Echinops glaberrimus DC.

الشيخة

Syn. Sphaerocephalus glaberrimus (DC.) Kuntze

Smooth Globe Thistle
Apiaceae
  • Morphological Description
    • Description
      Perennial spiny herb. Stems up to 1 m tall, glabrous in the middle part, usually glandular above. Leaves bright -green, rigid oblong-oblanceolate, minutely glandular or very lightly arachnoid on one or both surfaces, irregularly pinnately shallowly to deeply lobed, each ending in a yellow spine. Heads green with golden yellow, long spines when young. Flowers white. Pappus of short, free bristles.
  • Habitat and Distribution
    • Geographical Distribution Range
      This Saharo-Arabian species is distributed in Middle East and adjacent regions from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. Within the Arabian Peninsula, it is native to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
  • Ecology
    • Phenology
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      Flowering
      Fructification
    • IUCN Red List Category
      Not Evaluated IUCN Icon
      Not Evaluated
  • Uses and Values
    • Aromatic and Medicinal Use
      Medicinal use
    • Description of Traditional Uses
      The Echinops genus is widely utilized in traditional medicine systems. E. glaberrimus and related species are historically cited in folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties, with traditional preparations (often decoctions) used to address liver disorders, pain, and respiratory ailments.
Gallery
Echinops glaberrimus fruits
Whole plant
Echinops glaberrimus leaf
Echinops glaberrimus fruit
Echinops glaberrimus fruit