Cephalaria litvinovii, Bobrov

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 : 58

14. C. litvinovii Bobrov , Bot. Žur. Yl; 495 (1932).

Robust perennial herb up to 200 cm; stems glabrous below, pubescent above. Leaves 15-50 x 8-20 cm, pinnatisect or lyrate, pubescent, with 4-6 pairs of lanceolate, serrate-dentate lobes, the upper lobes decurrent, the terminal lobe larger than the lateral. Involucral bracts c. 6 x 5 mm, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or subacute, appressed-pubescent. Receptacular scales 8-10 x 3-4 mm, lanceolate or spathulate, long-acuminate, appressedpubescent, ciliate. Corolla 15-18 mm, yellow. Involucel c. 9 mm in fruit, 8-angled, with 4 setae c. 1 mm and 4 slightly shorter intermediate setae. In ravines, among scrub. • S.C. Russia (very local). Rs (C,?E).

Doubtfully distinct from the Caucasian C. gigantea (Ledeb.) Bobrov , op. cit. 490 (1932) ( C. tatarica auct., non Roemer & Schultes), which is sometimes cultivated for ornament and occasionally escapes.