Echinops spinosus, 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

1. E. spinosus L. , Mantissa 119 (1767).

Stem 40-70 cm, branched, glabrous or with arachnoid indumentum. Leaves ellipticlanceolate in outline, green and with arachnoid indumentum above, white-tomentose beneath, the basal 2-pinnatisect, the cauline pinnatifid or pinnatisect; segments linear-lanceolate, with long, stout, marginal spines. Inflorescence 8-16 cm in diameter, pale blue. Involucre 30-70 mm; setae as long as the outer involucral bracts; bracts 20, puberulent; outer bracts spathulate, dentate; middle bracts lanceolate, subulate distally, 1—2(—3) with hairy spines at least twice as long as capitulum. Corolla blue. Pappus-setae connate at base. Lampedusa . Si. (N. Africa.)

Plants like 1 but differing in the much smaller, free, linearlanceolate involucral bracts are reported from Spain. They are sterile and apparently of hybrid origin, but the parents have not yet been determined.