Scorpiurus muricatus, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 185

1. S. muricatus L. , Sp. Pl. 745 (1753)

(inch 5. subvillosus L. , 5. sulcatus L. ).

Stems up to 80 cm, glabrous or pubescent with appressed or patent hairs. Heads (l-)2- to 5-flowered. Corolla 5-10(-12) mm. Legume with the ridges smooth or the outer 4-8 tuberculate or spinose. Seeds lunate, attenuate at the ends. 2n = 28. S. Europe; a rare casual elsewhere. Al BI Bu Co Cr GaGrHsItJuLuRs (K) SaSiTu.

Often divided into 3 taxa, of varying rank, on the type of indumentum, the length of the peduncle in relation to the leaves, the length of the calyx-teeth in relation to the tube and the degree of spininess and the contortion of the legume. The correlation between these characters is inconstant, and there does not seem to be any satisfactory geographical separation.