BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ECHINOPS EXALTATUS SCHARD. (ASTERACEAE)

Abstract

This review analyzes and systematizes scientific studies on Echinops exaltatus Schard., commonly known as tall globe thistle. This perennial herbaceous plant, a hemicryptophyte belonging to the Asteraceae family, is found in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, including Prykarpattia, Pokuttia, Southern Opillia, and Transcarpathia in Ukraine. Its study history spans over two centuries. E. exaltatus thrives in temperate climates, preferring well-lit environments such as meadows, forest edges, upper river terraces, secondary shrub thickets, forest plantations, and roadsides. It adapts well to various soil types, including rocky and sandy soils, and is not particularly demanding regarding humus content. Notably, E. exaltatus is the largest species within the genus Echinops L. Many Echinops species have a history of traditional medicinal use for various ailments. They have been applied to treat inflammation, pain, fever, and respiratory conditions like coughs and sore throats. Some species are also traditionally used as aphrodisiacs, to assist in expelling retained placentas, as abortifacients, for uterine tumors and leucorrhea, and in the treatment of urolithiasis. The genus Echinops is primarily known for containing thiophenes and terpenes. Some researchers also report the presence of flavonoids, other phenolic compounds, alkaloids, lipids, and phenylpropanoids. Despite its relatives' established medicinal uses, E. exaltatus itself remains poorly studied in terms of its chemical composition, particularly its content of biologically active substances.
Beyond its potential medicinal properties, E. exaltatus is cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its silvery-white globular inflorescences, which effectively attract bees and other pollinators. However, most known populations of E. exaltatus are small and fragmented, often represented by isolated individuals. Crucially, the population parameters of this species have not been thoroughly studied. A review of existing literature indicates a pressing need to update and verify its distribution data and to conduct further research. This urgency stems from its listing in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) and its inclusion in the 2021 list of plant and fungal species proposed for the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Flora). Further research into E. exaltatus’s chemical composition, population dynamics, and precise distribution is vital for its conservation and potential future applications.