Scorzonera purpurea, L.

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 : 319

6. S. purpurea L. , Sp. Pl. 791 (1753).

Perennial, subglabrous or arachnoid-lanate at apex of stock and at base of capitula and leaves; rootstock vertical, usually less than 1 cm thick, cylindrical. Stem solitary, erect. Basal leaves (3-)10-25(-40) cm, grass-like, entire; cauline similar but smaller, amplexicaul. Ligules 1^-2 times as long as involucre. Achenes cylindrical-ellipsoid, shortly and obscurely beaked, ribbed, pale brownish, with a paler, tubular base c. I as long as rest of achene. Pappus-hairs about as long as achene, plumose, dirty white. 2n = 14. From C. Germany and Lithuania southwards to C. Italy, C. Greece and S.E. Russia', S. C. France. Al Au Bu Cz Ga Ge Gr Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (B, C, W, E). 161 Scorzonera

1 Plant not more than 8 cm, with rootstock not or only weakly fibrous at apex; leaves recurved (c) subsp. peristerica 1 Plant more than 8 cm, with rootstock densely fibrous at apex; leaves straight, ± erect

2 Leaves 0-3-0-7 cm wide, flat, scarcely keeled; achenes scabrid towards apex (b) subsp. rosea 2 Leaves 0-1-0-3 cm wide, canaliculate, keeled; achenes smooth

(a) subsp. purpurea