About Eryngium aristulatum Jeps.
Eryngium aristulatum Jeps. is a perennial herb that grows erect, rounded, leafless stems that occasionally branch. Stems reach heights between 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) and nearly 1 meter (3.3 feet). Leaves grow near the plant base and at nodes along the stem; they are long with edges ranging from serrated to toothed. The inflorescence holds rounded flowers, each accompanied by five to eight long, straight, spiky bracts. These bracts often have spiny edges and can grow up to nearly 3 centimeters long. Flowers have white petals and either white or purple styles. This species blooms from June through August. Eryngium aristulatum is native to California and Baja California, where it grows in wet locations including vernal pools and flooded meadows. It occurs in coast redwood forest, California mixed evergreen forest, California foothill oak woodland, yellow pine forest, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, coastal salt marsh, and wetland-riparian habitats.
