Hieracium sparsum, Friv.

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 : 402

212. H. sparsum Friv. , Flora (Regensb.) 19: 436 (1836).

Stems 10-20(-25) cm, glabrous or nearly so. Leaves rather glaucous, glabrous or with sparse simple eglandular hairs on the margin; basal soon withering, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, acute, entire or denticulate, slightly narrowed at base to an indistinct petiole; cauline 1-4, similar to basal, sessile, or bract-like. Capitula 2-12, with few florets, nodding in bud; peduncles slender, long, glabrous. Involucre 8-10 x 7-9 mm; bracts obtuse to acute, the outer squarrose, glabrous or nearly so. Stigmas discoloured. 2я= 18. S.E. Europe. Al Bu Gr Ju Rm.

This very distinct species is quite unlike a Hieracium in general appearance, but it is connected to other species by taxa here placed in (xxiv).

(xxvi) Leaves glaucous; basal few or absent; cauline 3-30 (-numerous), entire to shallowly dentate, often glabrous above, often with long rigid hairs on margin. Capitula 3-numerous. Ligules glabrous. Stigmas yellow or discoloured. Margins of receptacular pits dentate. Achenes stramineous to brown.