Aster sedifolius, 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 : 115-116

20. A. sedifolius L. , Sp. Pl. 874 (1753)

( A. acris L. ).

Perennial or rarely annual 25-120 cm. Stem erect, scabrid. Leaves sessile, entire, narrowly linear to broadly lanceolate or elliptical, the lower usually 3-veined, the upper usually 1-veined. Capitula in corymbs or panicles, rarely solitary. Involucral bracts in 3-5 rows, subacute, the inner sometimes more or less obtuse to nearly rounded. Ligules blue to pinkish-lilac, sometimes few or absent. Pappus-hairs unequal. S., E.C. & E. Europe. Al Au Bu Cz Ga Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs (B, C, W, K, E).

A very variable species in which there does not appear to be any clear correlation of characters; the separation at specific rank of a western taxon ( A. sedifolius ) from an eastern one ( A. punctatus Waldst. & Kit. ) is scarcely feasible. The following is a provisional attempt to account for the main variants at subspecific level.

1 Capitula usually with 6-15 florets; ligules few or absent; leaves ± glandular-punctate (b) subsp. dracunculoides 1 Capitula usually with 15-30 florets; ligules always present 2 Leaves glandular-punctate 3 Leaves scabrid, setulose (a) subsp. sedifolius 3 Leaves densely arachnoid-hairy (c) subsp. canus 2 Leaves eglandular, usually subglabrous

4 Middle cauline leaves (6—)8—11 mm wide; capitula few, crowded (d) subsp. illyricus

4 Middle cauline leaves l-4(-6) mm wide; inflorescence lax

5 Involucral bracts glabrous, not ciliate; capitula several to many (e) subsp. trinervis

5 Involucral bracts ciliate; capitula few (f) subsp. angustissimus