What are the characteristics and symbolic meaning of the globe thistle?

Asteraceae, genus Echinops.

The globe thistle is mainly distributed in the Tianshan region of Xinjiang, and is also widely distributed in the Soviet Union, and central and southern Europe.

The globe thistle is a perennial herb, 50-150 cm tall. The stem of the globe thistle is solitary, and the stems and branches are stout, covered with dense long jointed hairs and sparse cobweb-like thin hairs.

The basal and lower stem leaves of the globe thistle are broadly lanceolate in overall shape, with pinnately parted leaf blades, spiny small teeth along the leaf margins, and acuminate leaf tips; 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 cobweb-like cottony hairs; the flowers of the globe thistle are light blue or white, with a deeply parted corolla and linear lobes. The achenes of the globe thistle 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.

The globe thistle has very strong adaptability, tolerates arid climates and barren soil, prefers cool climates and sandy loam with good drainage and aeration, and strictly avoids hot, humid, and waterlogged environments; extensive management is sufficient. The globe thistle can be planted in masses as a flower border to increase ornamental value; planted on both sides of roads, it can soften rigid road curves.