Scabiosa argentea, 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 : 70

15. S. argentea L. , Sp. Pl. 100 (1753)

( S. eburnea Sibth. & Sm. , S. thracica Velen. , S. ucranica L. ).

Biennial or perennial, pubescent to subglabrous, with short curved hairs and long setae. Stem 30-70 cm, ascending, branched, pubescent at base. Lower and middle leaves 1- to 2-pinnatifid, with narrowly lanceolate to linear, entire or scarcely dentate segments; upper leaves linear, entire. Capitula 15-25 mm in diameter. Involucral bracts narrowly lanceolate to linear, widened at base. Involucel-tube (2-2-)2-6-3-3 mm; pits (0-7-)l-l-5(-l-7) mm, obovate, pubescent in the lower part; corona 1—1-8(—2-4) mm, shorter than tube, with 21-25 veins. Calyx-setae 2-4 times as long as corona, with short glandular hairs at the base. Corolla of marginal florets 12-15 mm, distinctly longer than that of the central, whitishyellow, yellow or pinkish-yellow. Anthers (1-6—)1 -7-2-2 mm. 2л = 16. S. Europe, extending northwards to c. 51° 30' N. in S.C. Russia. Al Bu Gr It Ju Rm Rs (W, К, E) Si Tu [Ga].

A very variable species, within which several taxa have been described, but these have very insignificant and inconstant characters and seem to be worthy of no more than varietal status.