Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

38
Asteraceae / Compositae
Echinops echinatus Roxb.
English name: Camel's thistle.
Local name: Sindhi- Uthkattar, Unt Katara, Bhattar, Luth, Urdu-
Unthkattar.
Description:
An annual erect branched herb up to 70 cm tall. Leaves up to 7 cm long, spiny,
pinnately divided. Flowers pale blue to pale purple in terminal globose heads about
3-4 cm across, spines are also present in the flowering head.
Flowering Period:
February toApril.
Habitat:
Silt among rocks, on hill sides and sandy places.
Uses:
The plant is bitter, tonic and diuretic. It is used in hoarse
cough,hysteria, dyspepsia, scrofula and ophthalmia.
Mixed with Acacia gum it is applied to the hair to destroy
lice.
Distribution:
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar.