Cirsium valentinum, Porta & Rigo

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 : 240

46. C. valentinum Porta & Rigo , Atti Accad. Agiati 9: 38 (1892).

Perennial 20-70 cm. Stem usually branched, leafless just below the apex. Leaves herbaceous, somewhat undulate, semiamplexicaul, sometimes shortly decurrent, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, pinnatifid, with long flexuous hairs on both sides especially on the veins; segments triangular, lobed, with strong spines 4-8 mm. Capitula solitary, usually long-pedunculate, usually not subtended by leaves. Involucre 15-21(-24) x 13-20 mm; bracts acute, with conspicuous vittae and pungent spine 1-2 mm; outer erect; middle with erecto-patent apex. Corolla 23-26 mm, purple. Pappus 16-20 mm. • E. Spain (S. W. of Valencia). Hs.

A species of doubtful affinity.