Echinops ritro, 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 : 214

10. E. ritro L. , Sp. Pl. 815 (1753).

Stem 20-60 cm, usually branched, white-tomentose or subglabrous, often with glandular hairs. Leaves elliptical in outline, 1 - to 2-pinnatisect, glabrous, glandular-hairy, with few, simple hairs or slightly arachnoid indumentum above, white-tomentose beneath, the margin revolute; segments linear to oblong-lanceolate, triangular or oblong, with spines 3-15 mm. Inflorescence 3-5-4-5 cm in diameter, bluish. Involucre 12-17 mm; setae slightly shorter than the outer bracts, as long as involucre; bracts 20-22, long-acuminate, cibate; outer bracts linear-lanceolate. Corolla blue, rarely white. Pappus-setae connate at least in basal half. 2« = 32. S., S.E. & E.C. Europe, extending northwards to c. 58° N. in E. Russia. Al Au Bu Cz Ga Gr Hs Hu It Ju Rm Rs (C, W, K, E) Si Tu.

1 Leaves 2-pinnatifid; segments not more than 2 mm wide (e) subsp. ruthenicus 1 Leaves 1 - to 2-pinnatifid; segments more than 2 mm wide 2 Pappus-setae connate for whole length (c) subsp. sartorianus 2 Pappus-setae connate for basal half 3 Stem and leaves with eglandular hairs (a) subsp. ritro 3 Stem and leaves with both eglandular and glandular hairs 4 Leaves glandular-hairy above (b) subsp. thracicus 4 Leaves glabrous or slightly arachnoid-tomentose above (d) subsp. meyeri