Xeranthemum cylindraceum, Sibth. & Sm.

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 : 212

3. X. cylindraceum Sibth. & Sm. , Fl. Graec. Prodr. 2: 172 (1813)

(X. foetidum auct., non Moench, X. inapertum auct., non (L.) Miller).

Stem 15-65 cm, with erecto-patent branches. Leaves 15-40x 2-5(-12)mm, linear to elliptic-oblong, densely white-tomentose beneath, more sparsely so above. Capitula 8-15 mm in diameter, ovoid, long-pedunculate. Outer involucral bracts obtuse or emarginate, with a whitish patch of appressed hairs in centre of lower surface, the intermediate subacute, and sometimes glabrous, the inner 10- 13 mm, pink, suberect. Fertile florets 10-15. Achenes 5-6 mm; pappus-scales 10-15, very unequal, shorter than achene. 2« = 20. Cultivated ground and other dry, open habitats. S. Europe, extending northwards to c. 47° N. in W. France and to c. 48° N. in S.E. Czechoslovakia. Al Bu Cz Ga Gr Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rm Rs (W, K) Tu.