Centaurea scabiosa, 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 : 267

49. C. scabiosa L. , Sp. Pl. 913 (1753).

Stems (15-)30-150(-200) cm, corymbosely branched. Leaves scabrid; lower petiolate, l(-2)-pinnatisect, rarely undivided and entire or dentate; segments oblong to linear, entire to dentate or lobed; upper pinnatisect, sessile. Involucre 18-25 mm in diameter, ovoid-globose; bracts 3-4 mm wide, ovate, numerous, glabrous or with arachnoid indumentum; appendages 1—2(—3) x 1-2 mm, not covering the bracts, triangular-ovate, brown or black, decurrent, with light brown fimbriae, inconspicuous and paler on inner bracts. Florets purple, the outer slightly longer to much longer than the inner. Achenes 4-5-5 mm, puberulent, brown; pappus 4-5 mm, greyish- or brownish-white. 2л = 20 + 0-2В, 40. Europe, from C. Spain, C. Italy and Bulgaria northwards. Au Be Br Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Hb He Ho Hs Hu It Ju No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, K, E) Su [Fa].

Very variable in branching, leaf-shape, and the size of the appendages.

C. integrifolia Tausch , Flora (Regensb.) 11: 485 (1828), from S. Ural, is similar to 49 but has all leaves undivided and entire. It may merit subspecific status.