Cirsium wallichii
DC., Prodr. 6: 643. 1838. Cnicus arachnoideus Wallich, Cat.
99. n. 2891. 1831 (nom. nud.). C. cernuus Wallich, Cat. 99 n. 2892. 1831. (nom. nud.).
Cirsium nepalensis DC., Prodr 6: 642. 1838. Cnicus argyracanthus var. nepalensis
(DC.) C.B.
Clarke, Comp. Ind. 218. 1876. Cnicus wallichiii (DC.) C.B. Clarke Comp.
Ind. 219. 1876. C. wallichii var. nepalensis (DC.) Hook.f ., Fl. Brit. India 3: 364. 1881.
C. wallichii var. cernua Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 364. 1881. C. wallichii var.
fasciculata Hook.f., Fl.Brit. India 3: 364. 1881. C. wallichii var. platylepis Hook.f., Fl.
Brit. India. 3: 364. 1881.
Herbs with spreading branches, 1 - 3.5 m tall, pubescent. Leaves sinuate pinnatifid;
lobes spinescent, lobulate, spines very long and strong, glabrous or cottony or tomentose
beneath, sessile. Heads 1.8 - 3.8 cm across, solitary, on naked, peduncled or sessile,
fascicled, involucrate. Outer involucral bracts lanceolate, ending in spreading erect or
recurved spines; inner with spreading or recurved, more or less dilated, lanceolate or
ovate, scarious serrulate, acute or spinescent tips. Corolla ca 1.6 cm long, white, yellow
or red.
KEY TO THE VARIETIES
| 1a. Leaves usually cottony or tomentose beneath | 7.2. wallichii |
| b. Leaves usually quite or nearly glabrous beneath | 7.1. glabratum |
