Eryngium vesiculosum

A sea holly that transforms from summer to winter. A native too. Great for well drained places As tough as!

NZ native. A curiosity. In winter it has little sword like leaves without spines, yet in summer it transforms into a lobed, spined, prickly patch, 5cm tall. Spreads by rhizomes. Short flower stalks, 2-3cm, tiny whote and crowded at the tip with radiating eryngio like bracts. Flowets in January to February. Mostly coastal. Growing on sandy beaches, coastal gravels, lower drainage areas of rivers, and exposed headlands. Occasionally inland in similar habitats. At risk, also occurs in Australia.

I have had this for years. From Hokonui Alpines originally. I have only just discovered what is was reading Hugh Wilson's book "Plant life on Banks Peninsula"