Centaurea (Hayek), (Hayek) Dostal. Stems

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 : 275

Sect. Paniculatae (Hayek) Dostál. Stems herbaceous, often paniculately branched, the branches not spiny. Leaf-segments not rigid or spiny. Involucre usually ovoid; lower bracts usually without prominent veins on dorsal surface; appendages usually spiny, not filiform and plumose-fimbriate at apex, the lower fimbriae free, without auricles or hyaline margin. Florets purple, rarely pink or lilac.