Carduus defloratus, 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 : 227

25. C. defloratus L. , Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1200 (1759).

Stemwings palmate. Leaves thickish, glaucous beneath, entire and spinulose-ciliate or dentate with numerous spinose teeth, the spines up to 5 mm; petiole up to | as long as lamina. Capitula 25-40 mm in diameter; outer involucral bracts sometimes patent and curled in an S-shape; inner bracts acuminate-subulate, slightly wider than the inner middle, minutely puberulent. Corolla 16-18 mm. Achenes 4-5 mm, compressed; apical prominence ovoid-globose; pappus 10-13 mm. Open woods and stony ground; somewhat calcicole. • Mountains of C. Europe, from C. Germany southwards to the N. Appennini and S. Carpathians. Au Cz Ge He Hu It Ju Po Rm.