# Echinops > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Echinops > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Echinops.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinops > Source revision: 1354821656 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Genus of flowering plants This article is about the plant genus. For the mammal genus, see [Lesser hedgehog tenrec](/source/Lesser_hedgehog_tenrec). Echinops Echinops adenocaulos Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Carduoideae Tribe: Cardueae Subtribe: Echinopsinae Dumort. Genus: Echinops L. Species About 130 species, see text ***Echinops*** [/ˈɛkɪnɒps/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English)[1] is a [genus](/source/Genus) of about 130 [species](/source/Species) of [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant) in the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Asteraceae](/source/Asteraceae), commonly known as **globe [thistles](/source/Thistle)**. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are distributed from central Asia, Mongolia and north-eastern China to the Mediterranean basin, temperate regions of Eurasia, reaching to Indian subcontinent and tropical Africa.[2][3] Globe thistles are a common host plant for [weevils](/source/Weevil) of the genus [*Larinus.*](/source/Larinus)[4] ## Characteristics Illustration of globe thistle *[Echinops sphaerocephalus](/source/Echinops_sphaerocephalus)* Source:[5] ### Vegetative characteristics The globe thistle species are perennial [herbaceous plants](/source/Herbaceous_plant). They form [rhizomes](/source/Rhizome) as perennial organs. The independently upright stems are angular. The alternately arranged leaves are one to two-pinnately divided and white, woolly and tomentose on the underside. ### Generative features *Echinops ritro* The capitulas are single-flowered, have a hermaphrodite tubular flower and are surrounded by a multi-rowed sheath. Numerous capitulas form spherical [inflorescences](/source/Inflorescence) of the second order, which have a diameter of 4 to 8 centimeters. The capitulas bloom from top to bottom within a head. The corolla is tubular, divided almost to the base. The flower color is steel blue to white, the inflorescences as a whole are usually bluish. The [stamens](/source/Stamen) are blue-gray. The [achenes](/source/Achene) are cylindrical, pentagonal and hairy. The [pappus](/source/Pappus_(botany)) has short scales. ## Human uses Many species belonging to the genus *Echinops* are traditionally used as medicinal herbs in Africa, Asia and Europe. More than 151 [natural products](/source/Natural_product) have been reported from this genus, many of which contain an unusual [alkyne](/source/Alkyne)- and [thiophene](/source/Thiophene)-containing structure. Various extracts, essential oils, and isolated compounds from members of this genus have been shown to have [anti-microbial](/source/Antimicrobial), [cytotoxic](/source/Cytotoxic), and [anti-inflammatory](/source/Anti-inflammatory) effects *[in vitro](/source/In_vitro)*.[6] Echinoynethiophene A is one such compound isolated from [Echinops grijsii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_grijsii&action=edit&redlink=1) However, there are a number of species in this genus that are claimed to have traditional medicinal uses but their chemical composition has not yet been evaluated.[7] *Echinops* plants have been traditionally employed in [folk medicine](/source/Traditional_medicine) to treat inflammation, pain, fever, cough, and sore throat; as an aphrodisiac; to facilitate expulsion of a retained placenta postpartum; as an abortifacient; and in the management of uterine tumors and leucorrhoea.[8][9] ## Selected species Species include: - *[Echinops adenocaulos](/source/Echinops_adenocaulos)* - *[Echinops amplexicaulis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_amplexicaulis&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops bannaticus](/source/Echinops_bannaticus)* - *[Echinops cephalotes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_cephalotes&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops ceratophorus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_ceratophorus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops chantavicus](/source/Echinops_chantavicus)* - *[Echinops echinatus](/source/Echinops_echinatus)* - *[Echinops exaltatus](/source/Echinops_exaltatus)* - *[Echinops giganteus](/source/Echinops_giganteus)* - *[Echinops gmelinii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_gmelinii&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops graecus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_graecus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops humilis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_humilis&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops kotschyi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_kotschyi&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops latifolius](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_latifolius&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops longisetus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_longisetus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops macrophyllus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_macrophyllus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops nivens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_nivens&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops niveus](/source/Echinops_niveus)* - *[Echinops orientalis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_orientalis&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops persepolitanus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_persepolitanus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops polyceras](/source/Echinops_polyceras)* - *[Echinops ritro](/source/Echinops_ritro)* (syn. *Echinops ruthenicus*) - *[Echinops sahyadricus](/source/Echinops_sahyadricus)* - *[Echinops setifer](/source/Echinops_setifer)* - *[Echinops sphaerocephalus](/source/Echinops_sphaerocephalus)* - *[Echinops spinosissimus](/source/Echinops_spinosissimus)* - *[Echinops tournefortii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_tournefortii&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops tschimganicus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_tschimganicus&action=edit&redlink=1)* - *[Echinops kazerunensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Echinops_kazerunensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* ## Gallery - *[Echinops setifer](/source/Echinops_setifer)* in [Japan](/source/Japan) - *[Echinops adenocaulos](/source/Echinops_adenocaulos)* in [north Africa](/source/North_Africa) - *Echinops adenocaulos* before flowering - *[Echinops sphaerocephalus](/source/Echinops_sphaerocephalus)* in [Setif](/source/S%C3%A9tif), [Algeria](/source/Algeria) - *Echinops ruthenicus* - *Echinops spinoissimus* in [Greece](/source/Greece) - *Echinops macrophyllus* in [Iran](/source/Iran) - *Echinops macrophyllus* - *Echinops sphaerocephalus* in Russia ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** *Sunset Western Garden Book,* 1995:606–607 1. **[^](#cite_ref-RHSAZ_2-0)** *RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants*. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1405332965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1405332965). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Montazerolghaem, Somayeh; Susanna, Alfonso; Calleja, Juan Antonio; Mozaffarian, Valiollah; Rahiminejad, Mohammad Reza (2017). ["Molecular systematics and phylogeography of the genus Echinops (Compositae, Cardueae–Echinopsinae): Focus on the Iranian centre of diversification"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314088368). *Phytotaxa*. **297** (2): 101. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.11646/phytotaxa.297.2.1](https://doi.org/10.11646%2Fphytotaxa.297.2.1). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Skuhrovec, Jiří; Volovnik, Semyon; Gosik, Rafał (2017-06-12). ["Description of the immature stages of Larinus vulpes and notes on its biology (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae)"](https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/12560/). *ZooKeys* (679): 107–137. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017ZooK..679..107S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017ZooK..679..107S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3897/zookeys.679.12560](https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fzookeys.679.12560). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1313-2970](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1313-2970). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [5523399](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523399). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [28769711](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28769711). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Echinops in Flora of North America @ efloras.org"](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=111246). *www.efloras.org*. Retrieved 2024-07-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Bitew, Helen; Hymete, Ariaya (2019-11-01). ["The Genus Echinops: Phytochemistry and Biological Activities: A Review"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6838032). *Frontiers in Pharmacology*. **10**: 1234. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3389/fphar.2019.01234](https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffphar.2019.01234). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1663-9812](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1663-9812). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [6838032](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6838032). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [31736749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31736749). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Bitew, Helen; Hymete, Ariaya (2019-11-01). ["The Genus Echinops: Phytochemistry and Biological Activities: A Review"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6838032). *Frontiers in Pharmacology*. **10**: 1234. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3389/fphar.2019.01234](https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffphar.2019.01234). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1663-9812](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1663-9812). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [6838032](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6838032). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [31736749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31736749). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ghasemi, Pirbalouti A.; Momeni, M.; Bahmani, M. (2013). ["Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Kurd tribe in Dehloran and Abdanan districts, Ilam province, Iran"](https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/84623). *African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines*. **10** (2): 368–385. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4314/ajtcam.v10i2.24](https://doi.org/10.4314%2Fajtcam.v10i2.24). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3746586](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746586). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [24146463](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24146463). Retrieved 2024-07-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Okello, Jimmy; Ssegawa, Paul (2007). ["Medicinal plants used by communities of Ngai Subcounty, Apac District, northern Uganda"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227734520). *African Journal of Ecology*. **45**: 76–83. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2007AfJEc..45S..76O](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007AfJEc..45S..76O). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00742.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2028.2007.00742.x). Taxon identifiers Echinops Wikidata: Q650106 Wikispecies: Echinops (Asteraceae) APDB: 190401 APNI: 116115 CoL: 49M2 EoL: 44921 EPPO: 1ECPG FNA: 111246 FoC: 111246 GBIF: 3109550 GRIN: 4106 iNaturalist: 72109 IPNI: 8731-1 IRMNG: 1276177 ITIS: 37285 NBN: NHMSYS0000458270 NCBI: 32194 NZOR: 0ba6934f-b5d5-4530-a633-969a9760447d Open Tree of Life: 511898 PLANTS: ECHIN8 Plazi: 3ABE9CAA-38C2-9A29-D675-27A6C95D009F POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:8731-1 Tropicos: 40000998 VASCAN: 1120 WFO: wfo-4000012947 WoRMS: 1076484 Authority control databases: National Israel This Cardueae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. - [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cardueae-stub) - [t](/source/Template_talk%3ACardueae-stub) - [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Cardueae-stub) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Echinops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinops) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinops?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.