sea-holly, or Eryngio; a genus of the dignya order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants. There are nine species; most of which are hardy herbaceous perennials, producing erect stalks from one to two or three feet high; with simple, entire, or divided prickly leaves; and the stalks terminated by roundish aggregate heads of quinquepetalous flowers, of white, blue, or purple colours. They all flower mostly in July, and the seeds ripen in September. They are propagated by seeds sown in a bed or border, either in spring or autumn. The plants are to be removed the autumn after they come up, into those places where they are destined to remain. The leaves of one of the species, (viz.) the maritimum, which grows naturally on the sea-coasts of England and Scotland) are sweetish, with a light aromatic warmth and pungency. The roots are accounted aphrodisiac, and are ordered to be kept candied in the shops. The young flowering shoots eaten like asparagus are very grateful and nourishing.