Echinops microcephalus, Sibth. & Sm.

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 : 214

11. E. microcephalus Sibth. & Sm. , FI. Graec. Prodr. 2: 209 (1813).

Stem 40-60 cm, branched, arachnoid-tomentose, sometimes with a few glandular hairs. Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate in outline, pinnatisect, glabrous above, white-tomentose beneath; segments triangular, with short, slender spines. Inflorescence 1 *5-4* 5 cm in diameter, blue. Involucre 15-25 mm; setae c. i as long as and adnate to the outer bracts, up to f as long as involucre; bracts 20-22, long-acuminate, ciliate; inner bracts lanceolate-elliptical; middle bracts lanceolate, 2-4 times as long as the triangular, denticulate outer bracts. Corolla blue. Pappus-setae connate for basal half. S. & E. parts of Balkan peninsula, just extending to S.E. Romania. Al Bu Gr Ju Rm Tu.