Dipsacus ferox, Loisel.

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 : 59

6. D. ferox Loisel. , FI. Gall. 719 (1807)

(inch D. bulgaricus Hayek ).

Stems 20-60 cm, densely covered with stout prickles. Basal leaves oblong-lanceolate, crenate-sinuate; cauline leaves sessile, pinnatifid, the upper sometimes entire, with prickles above and beneath, connate at base. Capitula 3-4 cm, subglobose to ovoid. Involucral bracts linear-lanceolate, spiny, more or less patent or recurved. Outer receptacular scales shortly acuminate, exceeding florets, the inner like the involucral bracts, more or less patent. Corolla pale purplish. Achenes c. 4 mm, blackish-brown, sulcate. Wet, stony places. Corse and Sardegna; a few stations in C. Italy. Co It Sa [Bu].