Atractylis cancellata L.
An erect, spiny annual. Stems white-felted, 5 to 30 cm tall, simple or branched in the upper parts. Leaves soft with cobweb hairs, spiny-toothed, the lower ones spathulate, the upper ones oblanceolate. Flower heads solitary, purple, about 1.5 cm across. Ray florets absent; florets about 1 cm long. Involucre about 1.5 cm long; bracts in many rows. The outer involucral bracts bi-pinnatisect, comb-like, curving and surrounding the flower head. Achenes 2 to 3 mm long, with silvery hairs; pappus of feathery hairs about 1 cm long.
Local: Not common in Gibraltar. Found in southern parts of the Upper Rock, including Mediterranean Road, Martin’s Path and Windmill Hill Flats.
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region.
Flowers from May to June (July).
Grows on open, stony ground; fields; roadsides.