CIRSIUM CRETICUM subsp. CRETICUM

Family:- COMPOSITAE/Sect. CIRSIUM

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- Cirsium polyanthemum

Meaning:- Cirsium (Gr) The ancient Greek name for thistle.

Creticum (L) From Crete, Cretan.

General description:- Medium to tall perennial with some fusiform roots.

Stem:-

1) 50-100(-120) cm, Much-branched above the middle, spiny-winged up to the apex.

Leaves:-

1) Narrowly oblong to linear-lanceolate, pinnatifid to pinnatisect (rarely entire,

dentate); segments linear-triangular, divaricately lobed; sparsely arachnoid or

subglabrous above, grey-tomentose beneath, with sharp marginal spines.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula numerous, solitary or in small clusters, erect.

2) Involucre c. 15 mm, broadly cylindrical. outer with a pungent spine 0·5-2 mm;

middle, with a weak spine 0-1(-2) mm.

3) Corolla (10-)14-17 mm, purple.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes 2·5-3·5 mm.

2) Pappus 10-13 mm.

Key features:-

1) Leaves without rigid setae on upper the surface. pubescent to villous above,

sparsely arachnoid lanate to -tomentose beneath.

2) Stem leafy up to the apex. with spiny wings, at least in the basal half.

3) Involucral bracts without vittae.

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Habitat:- Ditches, lake margins, springs, marshy meadows. 0-1200 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece. widespread in the Mediterranean area and SW

Asia. Widespread on Crete but not common.

Flowering time:- Late Apr to Sept, sometimes to Nov.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton