Cirsium monspessulanum, (L.) Hill

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 : 241

52. C. monspessulanum (L.) Hill , Hort. Kew. 63 (1768).

Perennial (20-)30-150 cm, with short stolons; tubers absent. Stem usually much-branched and leafless above, with flat wings having slender, flexible spines below. Leaves herbaceous, flat, decurrent, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, usually glabrous, shiny, entire to dentate (rarely lobed), with slender, soft to strong spines 4-10(-15) mm. Capitula solitary or 2-5(-10), shortly pedunculate or clustered at apex of stems and branches. Involucre 10-15 x 8-15 mm; bracts with distinct vittae and patent apex; outer acute, with weak spinule 0-5-2 mm; middle with oblong-suborbicular, scarious-ciliate apex, spinulose; inner with lanceolate, membranous appendage. Corolla 13-20 mm, purple. Achenes 2-5-4 mm; pappus 9-14 mm, the inner setae slightly expanded at apex. Damp places. S. W. Europe, extending to C. Italy. Ga Hs It?Lu.