Centaurea nicaeensis, All.

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 : 285

161. C. nicaeensis All. , Fl. Pedem. 1: 162 (1785).

Biennial. Stems 30-60 cm, erect, virgately branched above, not winged. Lower leaves lyrate-pinnatifid; upper oblong, cordate, semiamplexicaul; uppermost oblong to lanceolate. Capitula solitary, surrounded by upper leaves. Involucre 12-18 mm in diameter, ovoid; bracts glabrous; appendages not decurrent, with apical spine 10-15 mm and 2-3 short lateral spines on each side. Florets yellow. Achenes c. 4-5 mm; pappus 1-1-5 mm. Cultivated or waste ground. W. & C. Mediterranean region eastwards to Malta. Hs It Sa Si.