Cirsium eriophorum, (L.) Scop.

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 : 236

15. C. eriophorum (L.) Scop. , FI. Cam. ed. 2, 2: 130 (1772)

(incl. C. chatenieri Le Grand , C. vandasii Petrak ).

Biennial (40-)60-150(-250) cm. Leaves shortly setose above, sparsely arachnoid-lanate to -tomentose beneath; lobes lanceolate, with stout to slender, rigid apical spine (1—)5—12(—25) mm. Capitula usually few, more or less long-pedunculate, in a lax raceme or corymb, with few to numerous subtending leaves shorter than to twice as long as capitulum. Involucre 30-50 x (30-)40-70 mm, usually densely arachnoid-lanate, rarely subglabrous; bracts smooth or with short marginal spinules distally; outer patent to recurved; middle with or without a rhombic to lanceolate apical appendage and a usually weak apical spine (0-5-)l-4(-5) mm. Corolla 25-44 mm, purple. Achenes 4-5-6 mm; pappus 20-33 mm. 2n = 34. • W. & C. Europe, northwards to N. England, and extending to N. Italy and W. & S. parts of Balkan peninsula. Al Au Be Br Cz Ga Ge Gr He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm.

A very variable species in which many subordinate taxa have been described, particularly in the Balkan peninsula. Most of them refer to various intermediates between 15 and 18 and no subdivision seems advisable in the present stage of knowledge.