Eryngium amethystinum, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 323

23. E. amethystinum L. , Sp. Pl. 233 (1753)

(incl. E. glomeratum Lam. ).

Perennial; stems 20-45 cm, erect. Basal leaves usually persistent, coriaceous; lamina 10-15 cm, obovate, palmatisect above and pinnatisect below, the segments 2- or 3-pinnatisect with linear-lanceolate, spinescent-serrate segments; petiole broadly winged. Inflorescence usually bluish, cylindrical to corymbiform with usually numerous pedunculate, globose or ovoid capitula 1-2 cm. Bracts 2-5 cm, 5-9 linear-lanceolate, with 1-4 pairs of spines; bracteoles entire or 3-cuspidate. Sepals 1-5-2-5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, shortly aristate, Fruit sparsely scaly. Dry places. Balkan peninsula and Aegean region; Italy and Sicilia. Al?Bu Cr G r It Ju Si.