Carduus argemone subsp. argemone

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 : 227

(a) Subsp. argemone ( C. arctioides auct. pyren., non Vili., C. médius auct., non Gouan): Leaf-lobules with 5-7 pairs of main spinules; veins well-raised on lower leaf-surface. Outer and middle involucral bracts 1-1-5 mm wide at base, laxly imbricate, linear-subulate, gradually narrowing into a mucro. Corolla 14-16 mm. Achenes swollen, smooth. 2л = 22. From the Corbières westwards.