eryngium

[prettygoodword]

eryngium (i-RIN-jee-uhm) - n., any of numerous perennial umbelliferous plants (genus Eryngium) with distinctive spiny foliage, metallic blue flower heads, and bluish stems.


Also called eryngo and sea holly, the latter sometimes specifically referring to E. maritimum. Several species are grown as ornamentals. The name is the Latin form of Greek ērynggion, diminutive of ἤρυγγος, ēryngē, a species of thistle. Sea holly proper:


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger]

The roots of E. maritimum are edible and were candied (hence Falstaff's remark) and reputed also to be an aphrodisiac (hence Falstaff's remark). I would like to taste that! It seems to have fallen out of favor during the 18c?

[prettygoodword]

Ah -- didn't know its aphrodisiac properties. Yes, that does add to his speech:

"Let the sky rain potatoes;
let it thunder to the tune of Green-sleeves,
hail kissing-comfits and snow eringoes,
let there come a tempest of provocation..."