Fragrant Eryngo

Eryngium aromaticum Baldw. ; Ell. Bot. S. C. & Ga. 1:
344. 1821.
Slender, caulescent, glabrous, perennials, 1.5-7 dm. high, from a long slender taproot, the stems decumbent or erect, slender, several, branching above; basal leaves narrowly ovate to obovate, 3.5-5 dm. long, 1-1.5 cm. broad, pinnately parted, the three apical segments remote, ovate to lanceolate, cuspidate-acuminate, cartilaginous, entire, the lower segments remote, setaceous, spinulose; cauline leaves numerous, shorter, otherwise similar to the basal; inflorescence cymose, the heads few, pedunculate, small, the flowers few; heads ovoid to globose, 5-7 mm. long, 5-8 mm. broad; bracts 5-8, similar to the leaves, 5-12 mm. long, 3-cleft, the middle segment elongate, spreading and ascending, equaling or exceeding the heads; bractlets similar, 3-5 mm. long, exceeding the fruit; sepals lanceolate, 2.5-3 mm. long, acuminate; petals narrowly spatulate, 1.5 mm. long; styles longer than the sepals; fruit ovoid, 1.5-3 mm. long, densely covered with white, clavate processes.
Type locality: In dry pine barrens, Florida, Baldwin? Distribution: Georgia and Florida (Curtiss 4335, 5215).