Echinops sphaerocephalus

Great globe-thistle

Echinops sphaerocephalus is a perennial, herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. It has a strong, upright stem covered in thick, white hairs. The leaves are lanceolate, up to 20 cm long, and toothed or lobed along the edge, with the upper leaves smaller and less divided than the lower ones. They have gray, tomentose hair on the underside. The plant produces spherical inflorescences 2 to 6 cm in diameter, consisting of numerous small, blue or purple flowers. It blooms from July to September. The fruits are hairy, brownish achenes. Echinops sphaerocephalus prefers sunny locations and well-drained soils and is often found in dry pastures, along roadsides and in fallow fields. Its attractive appearance and tolerance to difficult environmental conditions have contributed to its popularity as an ornamental plant, but this has also encouraged its uncontrolled spread.

Types of damage

Ecological damage

Echinops sphaerocephalus can become a dominant plant locally, reducing biodiversity by surpressing native species and altering the structure of communities. Their tendency to form dense stands can result in them limiting the availability of light and space for other species, particularly in ruderal grasslands and semi-arid grassland communities.

Region of origin

Russia, Central Asia and Caucasus

Introduction vectors

Horticulture

Echinops sphaerocephalus is a popular ornamental plant due to its attractive, spherical flower heads and its tolerance of many soil and climate conditions.

Planting of neophytes

Echinops sphaerocephalus was deliberately sown in nature as a foreign plant in order to enrich the native flora.

Current distribution

Based on the FlorKart Database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, as of 2013

Miscellaneous

Family

The daisy family (Asteraceae), also known as Asteraceae or Compositae, is one of the largest plant families with more than 23,000 species in about 1,620 genera. A distinguishing feature is their complex inflorescence, which consists of many small individual flowers forming a "basket". This family is globally distributed and contains species ranging from annual plants to perennial shrubs and trees. Well-known representatives are the sunflower, daisy, dandelion and many species of chrysanthemum. Many asteraceae are important for honey production, and some, such as artichoke and endive, are important crops.

Climate change

Echinops sphaerocephalus has not yet filled its potentially suitable habitat under current climate conditions. It benefits from climate change because its potentially suitable habitat will become larger in the future. The environmental factors that most influence their spread are soil type, summer precipitation, winter precipitation, fall precipitation and rail infrastructure.

Positive effects

Skin care products were developed based on globe thistle oil. The oil from the seed of the globe thistle is now considered a cosmetic raw material that is used in a number of care products.

Dispersion forecast

Indicates the proportion of land suitable for habitat under current and future climate conditions (2060-2080) under three emission scenarios (RCP26, RCP45 & RCP85).

Habitat suitability maps

Instructions for use: Click here

Habitat suitability under current climate conditions

These habitat suitability maps show for Echinops sphaerocephalus where suitable habitat conditions exist.

The map on the left shows this for current climate conditions. Below this are maps for the time classes 2040-2060 and 2061-2080, in which three different emission scenarios can be selected.

The slider at the top left allows you to adjust the opacity of the map to make orientation easier.

By clicking on the respective quadrant, information on the environmental conditions present in it can be called up.

The methodology is explained here beschrieben.

Habitat suitability 2040 - 2060

2040-2060: In the RCP2.6 scenario, GHG emissions are expected to peak by 2040 through comprehensive mitigation measures and to decline rapidly thereafter. By 2060, global warming would stabilise at about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Subtle changes in precipitation patterns could vary regionally, with some areas facing increased drought and others increased precipitation.

2040-2060: Under RCP4.5, GHG emissions would continue to increase until 2040, but stabilise at a high level thereafter. By 2060, there could be a global temperature increase of about 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would likely cause moderate changes in precipitation patterns, with potential regional differences.

2040-2060: Under RCP8.5, which assumes continued intensive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions would rise sharply by 2060. The global temperature increase could be around 2.5-3°C. In this scenario, significant changes in precipitation patterns could occur, with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events.

Habitat suitability 2061 - 2080

2060-2080: By 2080, global warming could be limited to below 2°C in the RCP2.6 scenario, provided emission reductions are consistently pursued. Impacts on precipitation patterns would likely stabilise, although regional variance would remain significant.

2060-2080: In the RCP4.5 scenario, global temperatures would continue to increase and could be around 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Changes in precipitation patterns would likely increase and regional differences could become more pronounced.

2060-2080: Under RCP8.5, global temperatures could rise by more than 4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Precipitation patterns would be expected to change significantly, with further increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This would have far-reaching impacts on ecological and socio-economic systems.