Cirsium italicum, (Savi) DC.

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 : 238

29. C. italicum (Savi) DC. , Cat. Pl. Horti Monsp. 96 (1813).

Biennial or annual (15-)20-45(-60) cm, usually much-branched; stem winged. Leaves decurrent for about half the length of the internode, sparsely arachnoid-lanate to -tomentose or rarely glabrescent beneath; lobes linear-triangular to narrowly triangular, with slender apical spine 4-12 mm. Capitula crowded at apex of stems and branches, with 3-8 subtending leaves much exceeding capitulum. Involucre 13-20 x 8-15 mm, sparsely arachnoidhairy to subglabrous; bracts appressed, oblong, with conspicuous vittae, obtuse, with rigid, patent apical spine 2*5-7 mm, the inner with scarious, minutely setulose appendage. Corolla 12-14 mm, purple; tube half as long as limb. Achenes 2*5-3 mm; pappus 9-1 1 mm. C. & E. Mediterranean region. Al Bu Co?Ga Gr It Sa Si Tu.

An isolated species, in appearance and distribution somewhat resembling 59.