Eryngium aristulatum, commonly known as California eryngo or Jepson’s button celery, is a perennial herb that is native to California and Baja California, but it primarily occupies grasslands, chaparral, and the edges of wetland-riparian areas. It can be found at elevations from sea level to 2000 meters. The plant typically reaches up to 3.3 feet tall and is characterized by its erect, branched stems and spiny, bluish-gray foliage. The basal and stem leaves are serrated to toothed, providing a distinctive texture. From June through August, it produces striking rounded flower heads with spiky, silvery-blue to whitish bracts that are highly attractive to pollinators.

California eryngo is valued for its unique appearance and its ability to attract beneficial insects, making it a suitable choice for native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, and restoration projects. It is drought-tolerant once established, preferring full sun and well-drained soils, although it can tolerate seasonal wetness in its natural habitat. While it is not commonly used in culinary or medicinal applications, its ornamental value lies in its unusual flower structure and foliage. Gardeners should note that it may self-seed and spread if conditions are favorable, but it is not typically aggressive.CC BY-SA 4.0