Centaurea napifolia, 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 : 284

154. C. napifolia L. , Sp. Pl. 916 (1753).

Annual. Stems 30-50 cm, erect, branched, the branches narrowly winged. Leaves greyish-pubescent, sometimes lanate; lower broadly ovate to lyrate, with 1-2 segments on each side; upper broadly linear, entire, except near the apex. Capitula solitary. Involucre c. 10 mm in diameter, ovoid; bracts pale; appendages 3 times as wide as bracts, broadly semilunate, narrowed at the base, pectinate- spinose with 5-9(-11) slender, parallel spines. Florets purple, the outer distinctly patent. Achenes c. 3 -5 mm, pale; pappus half as long as achene, pale pink. Cultivated and waste ground. W.C. Mediterranean region. Co?Cr?Hs It Sa Si.