Crepis mollis, (Jacq.) Ascherson

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 : 348

13. C. mollis (Jacq.) Ascherson , Fl. Brandenb. 1: 385 (1864)

( C. succisifolia (All.) Tausch ).

Stems 30-75(-90) cm. Leaves more or less pubescent with yellow eglandular hairs, or glabrous; basal 4-27 x 1-5-5 cm, elliptical to oblanceolate, obtuse to acute, entire or denticulate, more or less attenuate into a long or short winged petiole; lower cauline like the basal or sessile, remainder lanceolate, semiamplexicaul or bract-like. Capitula several, in corymbs. Involucre 8—10(—12) x 5-6 mm; bracts linear to linearlanceolate, acute, the outer i as long as inner, with more or less numerous, unequal, black, yellow or brown glandular hairs. Achenes 3-4-5 x 0-5-0-7 mm, reddish-brown, fusiform, the marginal curved, the inner straight, all gradually attenuate at base and apex, c. 20-ribbed. 2« =12. Damp or shady places. C.&S.E. Europe, extending locally westwards to Scotland and E. Pyrenees and north-eastwards to Estonia. Al Au Br Bu Cz Ga Ge He HsfHu It Ju Po Rm Rs (B, C, W).

Very variable in hairiness of stem, leaves and involucre, robustness of stem and leaves and the exact colour of the florets. In C. Europe the plants of higher altitudes are said to be more robust, have firmer stems and leaves, and blackish hairs, whereas those from lower altitudes are more slender and have thinner leaves and paler hairs, but if the whole range of the species is considered the variation does not fit into any significant pattern.