Casabonae and C
diacantha. Both these are effective for sub-tropical gardening and carpet bedding, growing in compact rosette-like patches, and not producing stems or flower-heads until the second year. Propagated by seeds, sown in gentle heat, in February, and also in September, in which latter case the young seedlings should be potted up and kept indoors throughout the winter months.
C. Casabonae (Casabona's). Fish-bone Thistle. fl.-heads pale purple. Summer. l. deep green, veined with white, spiny. h. 2ft. to 3ft. South Europe, 1714. C. diacantha (two-spined). fl.-heads purplish, in dense, spike-like clusters. Summer. l. shining green, marked with silvery lines; spines ivory-white. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Syria, 1800.
C. stricta (upright). fl.-heads purple. Summer. l. veined with white. h. 2ft. South Europe, 1820. A neat and dwarf-growing species, sometimes seen in gardens.