*Centaurea melitensis L.

Heads sometimes clustered. Bracts with a spine less than 1 cm long, spinules pinnately arranged. Basal leaves pinnately divided; cauline leaves narrow, decurrent, entire or slightly toothed. Involucre more than 1 cm diam. Cypselas 3–4 mm long. Pappus of bristles up to 5 mm long. Erect annual up to 50 cm high, woolly or glabrous. Widespread. Weed of cultivation, pastures and waste places. Introd. from the Mediterranean. Fl. summer. Maltese Cockspur