Dipsacus gmelinii, Bieb.

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 : 59

1. D. gmelìnii Bieb. , FI. Taur.-Cauc. 1; 92 (1808).

Stems 50-150 cm, densely covered with slender prickles. Basal leaves in a rosette, ovate-spathulate, narrowed to a long petiole, crenate-serrate; cauline leaves ovate-lanceolate, sessile, free at base, the lower deeply serrate-laciniate, the upper laciniate, with ascending, linear-lanceolate, acuminate segments. Capitula subglobose. Involucral bracts few, linear-lanceolate, spinose-ciliate, with apical spine curved upwards; receptacular scales linearlanceolate, spinose-ciliate, exceeding florets. Corolla bluish. Achenes c. 4 mm, light brown. Damp lake-shores and river-banks. S.E. Russia, S.E. Ukraine', one station in S.E. Romania. Rm Rs (W, E). (W. C. Asia.)