Cirsium ferox, (L.) DC.

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 : 234

1. C. ferox (L.) DC. in Lam. & DC., Fl. Fr. ed. 3, 4: 120 (1805).

Biennial 60-100(-120) cm. Leaves broadly auriculate-semiamplexicaul, with patent setae 1-7 mm above, sparsely arachnoid-lanate to -tomentose beneath; lobes linear-oblong to triangular-oblong, with rigid apical spine (4—)6—lOf— 15) mm. Capitula in a corymb, with 10-20 linear, pectinate-spiny subtending leaves equalling or somewhat exceeding capitulum. Involucre 35-45 x 25-40 mm, sparsely arachnoid-hairy to subglabrous; middle bracts gradually narrowed or slightly widened to the spinulose-denticulate or minutely ciliate apex, with weak, patent to erecto-patent apical spine 4-7 mm. Corolla 30-38 mm, usually white. Achenes 4-5-6 mm; pappus 24-29 mm. • C. & S. France, just extending into N. W. Italy. Ga?Hs It.