What are the alternative names and elegant names of Echinops?

Asteraceae, genus Echinops.

Echinops is mainly distributed in the Tianshan region of Xinjiang; it is also widely distributed in the Soviet Union and central and southern Europe.

Echinops is a perennial herb, 50-150 cm tall. The stem of Echinops is solitary, robust, covered with dense long jointed hairs and sparse cobwebby thin hairs.

The basal and lower stem leaves of Echinops are broadly lanceolate in overall shape, with pinnately semi-parted leaves; the leaf margins have spiny small teeth, the leaf tips are acuminate, and the leaves gradually become smaller from the base to the tip of the plant; the leaves are relatively thin in texture, papery to the touch, and differ in color on the two sides, with the upper surface green and covered with dense short stiff hairs, and the lower surface grayish white and covered with thin cobwebby woolly hairs; the flowers of Echinops are light blue or white, with a deeply parted corolla and linear lobes. The achenes of Echinops are obconical, and the fruit surface is covered with dense yellow long straight hairs that are appressed in the same direction; the flowering and fruiting period is August-September.

Echinops has very strong adaptability, tolerates arid climates and poor soil, prefers cool climates and well-drained, breathable sandy loam, and strictly avoids hot, wet, and waterlogged environments; extensive management is sufficient. Echinops planted in groups can be used for flower borders, increasing ornamental value; planted on both sides of roads, it can soften harsh road curves.