Tolpis virgata, Bertol.

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 : 306

2. T. virgata Bertol. , op. cit. 15 (1803)

( T. altissima Pers. ).

Somewhat pubescent perennial or biennial 30-100 cm. Lower leaves 5-20 cm, oblong-lanceolate to elliptical, entire to serrate or deeply dentate, acute or subobtuse; upper cauline leaves similar but smaller. Stem branched, the branches making a narrow angle with the main stem and overtopping it. Capitula usually several; peduncles slightly thickened below the capitula; supplementary bracts absent, or few, small and usually appressed. Involucre 6-8 mm; outer bracts shorter than inner; all bracts linearlanceolate, straight, appressed. All achenes with pappus of 4-12 long hairs mixed with short hairs. Dry, grassy or sandy places. Mediterranean region from S.E. France eastwards. Al Co Cr Ga Gr It Sa Si Tu.

T. virgata var. quadriaristata (Biv.) Fiori & Paol. , from Sicilia, is somewhat intermediate between 1 and 2. It appears to be perennial and has a pappus of usually 4 long hairs, but the outer involucral bracts are about as long as the inner, curved and not appressed. It requires further investigation.