Echinops is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central Asia, and south to the mountains of tropical Africa. Globe thistle is the host plant of weevil Larinus vulpes.Species include: Echinops adenocaulos Echinops bannaticus Echinops chantavicus Echinops echinatus Echinops exaltatus Echinops giganteus Echinops gmelinii Echinops graecus Echinops humilis Echinops latifolius Echinops longisetus Echinops nivens Echinops niveus Echinops orientalis Echinops ritro (syn. Echinops ruthenicus) Echinops setifer Echinops sphaerocephalus Echinops spinosissimus Echinops tournefortii Echinops tschimganicus