Leaves: Basal leaves long-petiolate, pinnatisect with narrow, rigid lobes ending in spines; cauline leaves sessile, amplexicaul with broad, spiny sheaths; upper leaves more divided, linear-lanceolate, and strongly dentate, each tooth terminating in a fine spine.
الأزهار
Inflorescence & flowers: Inflorescence composed of ovoid to globose capitula, 1.5–2.5 cm across, surrounded by a conspicuous whorl of rigid, lanceolate bracts with spiny margins and a bluish tinge. Flowers numerous, bisexual, bluish to pale green; calyx lobes lanceolate, acute; petals ovate, slightly inflexed at apex; stamens exserted.
الثمار والبذور
Fruit: Schizocarp broadly ovoid, 3–4 mm long, covered with prominent, longitudinal ridges; mericarps separating at maturity into two convex halves.
الموائل والبيئة
Habitat & elevation: Dry rocky slopes, steppe pastures, and montane grasslands on limestone, typically between 1 000 and 2 200 m. Prefers sunny, exposed habitats with shallow, calcareous soil.
Phenology: Flowers and fruits from June to September.
الانتشار الموثق
Leb. Syr. Tur.
Lebanese distribution: Endemic to high altitudes of the Mount Lebanon chain , especially Barouk , Ehden , Sannine , and Dahr el-Baïdar ; also noted by Mouterde from the Anti-Lebanon near Rashaya . Locally frequent in subalpine pastures and rocky steppe vegetation.
Native to: Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye (POWO).
الارتفاع الموثق
الارتفاع
200 m
لمحة نباتية
بنية النبات
Life-form & habit: Perennial spiny herb, 20–60 cm tall, with a robust taproot and several rigid, erect stems branching in the upper part to form a corymbose inflorescence. Whole plant glaucous-green to bluish, glabrous, and strongly lignified at the base.