Thistle is accepted as a national emblem of Scotland, but which species of ‘thistle’ is the real Scottish one has been a matter for debate.  Roy Vickery in his Dictionary of Plant-lore, 1995: 336 lists 11 species which have been considered to be suitable candidates.  All of these are members, or close relatives, of the genus Cirsium, which is what most people visualise when they think of thistles.  All are members of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae, formerly better known as Compositae).

However, recently some cultivated varieties of sea-holly (Eryngium), members of the Apiaceae (Carrot Family) seem to have taken on the role of being Scotland’s thistle.  While on a visit to Edinburgh in November 2015 Eryngium appeared in some places to have replaced members of the Asteraceae as Scotland’s thistle.  For example,  Eryngium flowers decorated tables in a restaurant which prided itself on serving traditional Scottish fare.  On 31 January 2016 a wreath placed by the Order of the Crown of Stuart at the base of the statue of King Charles I in Whitehall, London, to commemorate the anniversary of his execution, featured Eryngium.  So did the wreath placed by the King’s Army outside the nearby Banqueting House.  The identification of Eryngium as ‘thistle’ was confirmed by the labels on a flower-stall in Putney, London Borough of Wandsworth, on 20 February 2016.

From the florist’s point of view robust and long-lasting Eryngium has many advantages over the more traditional ‘thistles’, and while spiny it probably more easy to handle than any of the traditional species.  It is also more readily available throughout the year.

Images:  upper, wreath at base of King Charles I statue, 31 January 2016; lower, florist’s stall, Putney, London Borough of Wandsworth, February 2016.