Echinops bannaticus is an erect, clump-forming perennial globe thistle that typically grows to 4â (less frequently to 6â) tall on stiff, sometimes branching stems. It is native to southeastern Europe. Spiny, deeply-dissected leaves (to 14â long) are rough green above and downy-white below. Globular, thistle-like, gray-blue flower heads (to 2â diameter) bloom at the stem tops in summer. Genus name comes from the Greek words echinos meaning a hedgehog and ops meaning appearance in reference to the flower heads.