Centaurea carduiformis

 Centaurea carduiformis

Ssp carduiformis: Kavgalaz; Ssp orientalis: Pala kavgalaz

 
Biennial with thickened taproot, stem erect, 20-90 cm, usually branched only in the upper part with 3-5 capitula . Stem and leaves hispid or arachnoid-tomentose. Leaves 1-2-pinnatisect, larger segments 1,5-8 mm broad, terminal equal or only slightly larger, small segments usually present between large ones. Involucre 17-25 x 20-25 mm, ovoid. Appendages only partly concealing basal part of phyllaries, triangular, gradually narrowed into spine, 10-30 mm , dark to light brown, with numerous cilia on each side , 4-5 mm. Flowers rose-purple or whitish . Achenes 5-6 mm; pappus 7-10 mm, inner row 1,5-2,5 mm.
1.Stem and leaves not hispid, arachnoid tomentose; appendages 4-6 mm broad at base………subsp orientalis
1.Base of stem and lower side of leaves hispid with septate hairs; appendages 2,5-3,5 mm broad at base…subsp carduiformis
   2.Appendages usually more than 15 mm, cilia 3-5 mm…var. carduiformis
   2.Appendages 10-15 mm, cilia 1,5-2 mm…………….var. thrinciifolia
Transcaucasia, N.W.Iran. Ir.-Tur. element.