Eguzkilore (Carlina acanthifolia)

In each community there is usually a plant that has some very special meaning for the people. It is often a flower loaded with symbolism, the protagonist of legends told long ago. Such is the case of the eguzkilore, which is also known as flower of the Sun or protective flower.

It grows wild in the mountains of southern Europe, and especially in those of Cantabria and the Basque Country, where it is held in high esteem.

Characteristics of the eguzkilore

It is a lively grass, that is, it lives for several years and reaches a height of 30 centimeters approximately. Its scientific name is carlina acanthifolia. During the first months it develops a rigid stem, from which green, lobed leaves with thorns sprout, very similar to those of the thistle.

After about two years, in summer, the flowers appear, which are yellow. Pale yellow / cream petal-like bracts (modified leaves) sprout around it, which are also spiny.

How to sow eguzkilore?

If you would like to have this flower in your garden or on the patio, we recommend that you take into account what we are going to tell you below:

Get seeds from specialized sites

The eguzkilore is a species that is protected, so only seeds that come from authorized crops should be sown, since otherwise not only would a crime be being committed, but also the survival of the species already threatened by climate change could be endangered.

Sow them as soon as possible

The seeds remain viable for a short time, so the sooner they are planted the better. Do the following:

1. Fill a pot that is at least 12 centimeters in diameter with universal substrate. If not, mix with 30% perlite, pumice, or similar substrates.
2. Next, moisten the substrate. Pour water until you see it coming out of the holes in its base.
3. Then, take 2-3 seeds, and put them on the surface of the substrate separated from each other.
4. Then cover them with a little substrate so that they are not too exposed.
5. Finally, place the pot outside, and go watering it every time you see that the soil is drying out.

If they are viable, they will germinate in late winter or early spring.

Caring for the eguzkilore

How is this plant to be cared for? If you are curious, read on:

Location

It must be grown outside, in full sun. It needs to be exposed to solar radiation so that it can grow and develop normally. If it were kept in the shade or indoors, its stem would grow towards the light, and not vertically.

Soil or substrate

• Flower pot: to be filled with mulch or universal substrate (for sale here).
• Garden: the land must be fertile and light.

Irrigation and fertilizer

The eguzkilore will be watered an average of 3-4 times a week during the summer, and about 2 a week the rest of the year. It is highly recommended to take advantage and pay it from time to time, every 15 days or once a month during the warm months.

Transplant

You will only need one or two transplants throughout his life. Do this when you see the roots come out of the drainage holes.

Legend of the eguzkilore

It is a legend that has been transmitted orally from generation to generation for a long time. It tells that in the past, when the first human beings began to populate the Earth, neither the Sun nor the Moon existed.. The only thing that was there was darkness, one that frightened them because from the center of the Earth arose bulls of fire and even dragons.

Therefore, one day they decided to ask the Earth for protection, but she replied that she was very busy. The people insisted, and the Earth created the Moon for them, but it was not enough: after overcoming the initial fear, the witches, dragons, and flying horses came out again.

Then the town again asked Earth for help, and this created the sun: much brighter than the Moon, which would serve to indicate the day.

Luckily, the demons that harassed people couldn't get used to the intense light it radiated, so they only came out at night. However, the town wanted to be quiet, so they contacted Earth again.

She helped them, creating a flower that the beings of darkness would not want to see: the eguzkilore, or flower of the Sun.

It is a very beautiful legend, and like any self-respecting legend, it has its part of reality.

Uses and properties of eguzkilore

It has several uses:

• Cut and / or dried flower: in some villages it was hung on the doors of the houses to attract good luck, as well as to protect the family that lived inside.
• Edible: its leaves are edible. They can be consumed as vegetables, in salads for example.
• Medicinal: the essential oil that is extracted from the root is used to care for the skin, as well as to treat it in case of acne or eczema.

What did you think of this plant?