Cirsium decussatum, Janka

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

20. C. decussatum Janka , Linnaea 30: 582 (1860)

(inch C. polonicum (Petrak) Iljin ).

Biennial 60-150(-200) cm. Leaves sparsely arachnoid-lanate beneath; lobes linear-lanceolate to oblong, with strong apical spine 2-12 mm. Capitula solitary or few, long-pedunculate, with 5-16 subtending leaves equalling or exceeding capitulum. Involucre 30-50 x 40-60(-70) mm, densely arachnoid-lanate to sparsely arachnoid-hairy; bracts patent, divided into wide basal and narrow distal part, with remote marginal spines 0-5-1 -7 mm, the curved part minutely spinulose- scabrid on inner surface, the apex smooth; middle bracts slightly widened in apical part or with purple apical appendage 1-2 mm wide, with spinose-ciliate to subscarious-fimbriate margin and usually weak apical spine l-5-4(-7) mm. Corolla 27-^42 mm, purple. Achenes 5-7 mm; pappus 22-34 mm. • E.C. Europe and S. & W. parts of U.S.S.R. Cz Po Rm Rs (C, W, E).