1. European evergreen eryngo with twisted spiny leaves naturalized on United States east coast; roots formerly used as an aphrodisiac
   "Sea holly's metallic blue flowers stand out in coastal gardens";
   - sea holm, sea eryngium, Eryngium maritimum
    
2. Widely cultivated southern European acanthus with whitish purple-veined flowers
   "sea holly is often used in classical garden designs";
   - bear's breech, bear's breeches, Acanthus mollis

Derived forms: sea hollies

Type of: acanthus, bush, shrub

Part of: Eryngium, genus Eryngium

Encyclopedia: Sea holly