Xanthium spinosum, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 143

2. X. spinosum L. , Sp. PI. 987 (1753).

Stems 15-100 cm, muchbranched, with 1-2 stout, 3-fid, yellow spines in the leaf-axils, the spines rarely more or less connate at the base or replaced by leaffascicles. Leaves sessile or shortly petiolate; lamina entire or 3- to 5-fid, dark green above, white- or grey-tomentose beneath. Male capitula in terminal inflorescences, the female axillary. Involucre 10-12x 6-8 mm in fruit, covered with slender spines. In = 36. Ruderal. Naturalized in C. & S. Europe", casual further north. [Al Au Az BI Bu Co Cr Cz Ga Ge Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (W, K, E) Sa Si Tu.] (South America.)