SEA-HOLLY, or Eryngio: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 45th order, Umbellatae. The flowers are collected into a round head, and the receptacle is paleaceous. 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 designed 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 loops. The young flowering shoots eaten like parsnips are very grateful and nourishing.