Cirsium alatum, (S. G. Gmelin) Bobrov

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 : 241

54. C. alatum (S. G. Gmelin) Bobrov , Bot. Žur. 43: 1547 (1958)

(C. desertorum Fischer ex Link ).

Perennial 30-100 cm; roots with fusiform tubers. Stem usually branched above, with undulate wings bearing stout, rigid spines up to the apex. Leaves coriaceous, somewhat undulate, decurrent, narrowly lanceolate to elliptical, coarsely dentate to pinnatifid, subglabrous; segments broadly triangular, dentate, with stout, rigid spines 4-9 mm. Capitula 1-5, shortly pedunculate to subsessile. Involucre 12-17 x 9-13 mm; bracts erect, with patent, pungent spine 1-2-5 mm and usually distinct vittae; outer acute; middle subobtuse; inner with narrowly lanceolate, membranous appendage. Corolla 12-16(-20) mm, purple. Achenes 3-3- 5 mm; pappus 10-13 mm. Dry, saline steppes and maritime sands. S. & S.E. parts of U.S.S.R., and coasts of Romania and Bulgaria. Bu Rm Rs (C, W, E).

The degree of branching and the size and division of the leaves have been used to delimit several species and subspecies. However, no satisfactory subdivision of the species seems possible on present information.