Echinops sphaerocephalus, L.

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 : 213-214

7. E. sphaerocephalus L. , Sp. Pl. 814 (1753).

Stem 50-160(-200) cm, simple or branched, arachnoid-tomentose, sometimes glandular-hairy. Leaves oblong-elliptical to ovate in outline, 1- to 2-pinnatifid, amplexicaul, glandular-pubescent or with eglandular and glandular hairs above and white-tomentose beneath, the margin revolute; segments triangular to lanceolate, with short, slender spines. Inflorescence 3-6 cm in diameter, greyish or white. Involucre 15-25 mm; setae equalling or somewhat shorter than the outer bracts, | as long as the involucre, free or connate at base; bracts 16-20, long-acuminate, long-ciliate; outer bracts oblanceolate, c. i as long as the involucre; middle bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla white or greyish. Pappus-setae connate for basal 0.7. 2n = 32. 5. & C. Europe, extending northwards to C. France and C. Russia', frequently naturalized or casualfurther north. Al Au Bu Cz Ga Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (C, W, К, E) Tu [?Be Ge Su].

1 Involucral bracts glabrous (b) subsp. albidus 1 At least outer involucral bracts glandular-hairy

2 All involucral bracts glandular-hairy (c) subsp. taygeteus 2 Inner involucralbractsglabrous or puberulent,eglandular

(a) subsp. sphaerocephalus