Centaurea africana, Lam.

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 : 263

4. C. africana Lam. , Encycl. Méth. Bot. 1: 664 (1785)

( C. tagana Brot. ).

Stems 5O-1OO(-15O) cm, simple, rarely sparingly branched above. Basal leaves 18-22 x 8-12 cm, undivided, ovatelanceolate, erose-dentate, long-petiolate; cauline undivided or lyrate, sessile. Involucre 20-25 mm in diameter, ovoid-globose; bracts dark-striate, the middle with narrow scarious margin near apex, broadly ovate, the inner with wide scarious margin near apex. Florets pale yellow. Achenes c. 8 mm; pappus longer than achene, brown. 2n = 30. Dry woods and scrub. C. & S. Portugal, S. W. Spain. Hs Lu *Si. (TV. Africa.)