Carlina sicula, Ten.

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 : 209

4. C. sicula Ten. , Cat. Pl. Horti Neap., App. ed. 2, 74 (1819).

Subglabrous perennial; stem 20-70 cm, simple or with very short branches. Leaves c. 7 x 2 cm, oblong, pinnatisect, spiny. Capitula 25-35 mm in diameter, in a crowded terminal cluster of 2-4; sometimes 1-2 capitula subsessile in leaf-axils lower down. Outer involucral bracts up to 45 mm, exceeding the inner; inner bracts 12-15 x 2-5-3 mm, silvery-white above, white or purplish beneath. Florets yellow. Achenes c. 3 mm; pappus c. 9 mm. S.E. Italy, Sicilia and smaller islands of C. Mediterranean region. It Si.