Carlina acaulis, commonly known as stemless carline thistle, is a perennial herb native to Europe. It thrives in dry, rocky, and alpine regions. The plant features a rosette of spiny leaves and a large, solitary flower head resembling a thistle, which blooms from July to September. It is drought-resistant and often used in traditional medicine for its purported digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. The flower head remains intact when dried, making it a natural hygrometer that opens in dry weather and closes in humidity.

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