Echinops spinosissimus

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 : 213

2. E. spinosissimus Turra , Farset. Nov. Gen. 13 (1765)

(E. viscosus DC. , non Schrader ex Reichenb.).

Stem 50-80 cm, branched, densely arachnoid-tomentose and glandular-hairy. Leaves ovate-lanceolate in outline, usually 2-pinnatisect, with simple, glandular hairs above, white-tomentose and often glandular-hairy on the veins beneath; segments triangular to broadly lanceolate, with short, slender marginal spines. Inflorescence 3-5-7 cm in diameter, greyish to greenish or greenishblue. Involucre 15-40 mm; setae equalling or slightly shorter than the outer bracts; bracts 20, glabrous; outer bracts spathulate, acuminate or subulate distally, dentate, not more than | as long as capitulum; middle bracts lanceolate, equalling or twice as long as the outer, with marginal spines twice as long as the capitulum or absent. Corolla white or pale blue. Pappus-setae connate at base. E. Mediterranean region, extending westwards to Sicilia. Al Cr Gr Ju Si. 1 Middle involucral bracts twice as long as the outer; corolla white (c) subsp. neumayeri

1 Middle involucral bracts less than twice as long as the outer; corolla pale blue

2 Involucre 15-25 mm, greenish; middle involucral bracts shortly spinose or long-acuminate (a) subsp. spinosissimus

2 Involucre 25-40 mm, blue or greenish-blue; middle involucral bracts long-subulate (b) subsp. bithynicus