Cirsium creticum, (Lam.) D'Urv.

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 : 242

59. C. creticum (Lam.) D’Urv. , Mém. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 363 (1822)

( C. polyanthemum auct., non (L.) Sprengel).

Perennial 5O-1OO(-12O) cm, with some fusiform roots. Stem much-branched above the middle, spiny-winged up to the apex. Leaves coriaceous, strongly undulate, long-decurrent, with revolute margin, patent-hirsute and sparsely arachnoid-hairy above, patent-pubescent and sparsely to densely arachnoid-lanate beneath; lobes with very stout spines (2-)5-15(-20) mm. Involucre 12-17 x 7-10 mm; bracts erect, with patent spine, without vittae; outer obtuse; middle rounded or with suborbicular appendage. Corolla (10—) 14—17 mm, purple. Achenes 2-5-3-5 mm; pappus 10-13 mm. Wet meadows and marshes. C. & E. Mediterranean region. Al Bu Co Cr Gr It Ju Rm Si Tu.