Centaurea aspera, 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 : 284

153. C. aspera L. , Sp. Pl. 916 (1753)

(C. heterophylla Willd. ).

Stems 20-50 cm, erect, much-branched, often white-tomentose below. Leaves green, scabrid; lower usually divided; upper entire to sinuate-dentate, mucronate, sometimes with auriculate base. Capitula solitary. Involucre (10-) 15-25 mm in diameter, ovoid to globose; bracts pale reddish, indistinctly veined; appendages small, patent or deflexed, usually with 3-5 palmately arranged, divergent or parallel spines. Florets purple, the outer slightly patent. Achenes c. 4 mm, whitish, with reddish stripes; pappus 1-2 mm, reddish. 2л = 22. Dry, open habitats. • S. W. Europe, extending eastwards to C. Italy. BI Ga Hs It Lu Sa. 1 Stems simple or sparingly branched; leaves entire or serrate

(c) subsp. scorpiurifolia 1 Stems much-branched; lower leaves pinnatifid or lobed

2 Involucre 20-25 mm in diameter, globose; appendages with parallel spines (d) subsp. pseudosphaerocephala 2 Involucre10 -20mm indiameter,ovoid; appendageswith divergent spines

3 Upperleavesoblong-to linear-lanceolate;involucrec. 20

mm in diameter (a) subsp. aspera 3 Upperleavesnarrowlylinearto filiform; involucre6 -15

mm in diameter (b) subsp. stenophylla