Cirsium lobelii, Ten.

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 : 235

10. C. lobelii Ten. , Ind. Sem. Horti Neap. 1830: 16 (1830).

Biennial (2O-)3O-5O cm. Leaves arachnoid-lanate beneath; lobes linear-triangular to -lanceolate, with stout apical spine 4-12(-20) mm. Capitula solitary or few, crowded at apex of stem, with 3-6 subtending leaves equalling or exceeding capitulum and numerous others shorter than capitulum. Involucre 30-50 x 30-50 mm, arachnoid-lanate; outer bracts suberect; middle erecto-patent, widened into a somewhat lanceolate, pale, irregularly denticulatefimbriate appendage with slender apical spine 2*5-5 mm. Corolla 25-35 mm, purple; tube longer than limb. Achenes c. 5 mm; pappus 21-31 mm. • C. Italy. It.