Blue Devil
Eryngium ovinum
Photos Courtesy of D. Rehwinkel
Distribution in Canberra Region. Moderately widespread & common in the region. Favours disturbed soil.
Dispersal. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water and animals.
General Description and Biology
Erect perennial, to 60 cm tall.
Resembles Saffron thistle but turns metallic grey-blue in summer.
Basal leaves spine-tipped, deeply divided, 10-25 cm long, clasping base of stem.
Flowers small, densely clustered in rounded blue heads surrounded by sharply pointed purplish bracts.
Flowers in spring to mid-summer. The dried stem breaks off after flowering.
Can be inadvertently cut off when slashing saffron thistles with brushcutter.