Sea Holly (Noun)
Meaning 1
Widely cultivated southern European acanthus with whitish purple-veined flowers.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Sea holly, also known as eryngium, is a prickly perennial flower commonly used in floral arrangements for its unique, silvery hue.
- In coastal areas, sea holly can often be spotted in clusters along rocky shores and beaches, where it blooms from mid-summer to early autumn.
- While some may think it looks rather wild and unkempt, the statuesque stems and flowerheads of sea holly can be an elegant addition to the garden border.
- Freshly cut stems of sea holly make excellent material for wreaths, arrangements, and other forms of decorative floristry, due to their longevity in water.
- Growing conditions for sea holly typically include full sun, dry to moist well-drained soil, and minimal watering once established.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
European evergreen eryngo with twisted spiny leaves naturalized on United States east coast; roots formerly used as an aphrodisiac.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The garden designer chose sea holly for its unique, spiky foliage and ability to attract pollinators.
- Sea holly has become a popular choice for coastal gardens due to its tolerance of salt spray and dry soil.
- In the past, the roots of the sea holly plant were believed to have aphrodisiac properties and were used in traditional medicine.
- The sea holly's twisted, spiny leaves provide a striking contrast to the smooth, rounded leaves of the nearby shrubs.
- Wild sea holly can be found growing in sandy dunes and coastal scrub along the eastern seaboard of the United States.