Aster squamatus, (Sprengel) Hieron.

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

12. A. squamatus (Sprengel) Hieron. , Bot. Jahrb. 29: 19 (1900).

Annual or biennial 30-100 cm. Stem erect or ascending, glabrous. Leaves mostly linear or linear-lanceolate, entire. Capitula in symmetrical panicles. Involucral bracts in 3 rows, oblong to oblanceolate, tapered near the purplish, serrulate apex to an acute or mucronate point, appressed, the longest 5-6 mm. Ligules violet-blue, about as long as the pappus, more numerous than the tubular florets. 2zi = 20. Near the sea, usually on saline soil. Widely naturalized in S. W. Europe', recently also in C. & E. Mediterranean region, and still spreading. [Az BI Co Cr Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu Sa.] (Central and South America', widely naturalized elsewhere.) Recently recorded from Sicilia, and likely to become established there.