Beilis sylvestris, Cyr.

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 : 112

6. B. sylvestris Cyr. , Pl. Rar. Neap. 2: 22 (1792).

Perennial, usually scapose. Leaves (15-)30-180 x 5-25 mm, linear-oblong to narrowly obovate, remotely serrate to subentire, appressed-pubescent at least when young, dark green, 3-veined, narrowed very gradually to a short, scarcely distinct petiole. Peduncles 10-45 cm, stout. Capitula 20-40 mm in diameter; receptacle conical to hemispherical. Involucral bracts (5-)7-12 mm, oblong-lanceolate, more or less acute. Ligules 8-14 mm, tinged with purplish-red beneath and often also above. Achenes pubescent, sometimes with a rudimentary pappus of short bristles. 2n = 36, 54. Grassland. S. Europe. Al BI Bu Co Cr Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu SaSiTu.

No single character can be relied on to distinguish this species with certainty from 2, and by some authors it is treated as a subspecies. The distinctive facies of the great majority of plants, however, seems to make specific status more appropriate.