Phagnalon acuminatum Boiss.

This species is closely related to P. niveum in general habit, size of the capitulum and floccose lanate phyllaries, however it can readily be distinguished from the latter by having larger leaves, which are lax on the branches, phyllaries are linear triangular and cypselas have more pappus setae (6-9). P. niveum has ony 5(-6) setae.

Small woody herbs, 20-40 cm high, stem and branches covered with dense snow white cottony wool, branches ± laxly foliate, lower leaves usually dying with age, (1.5) 20-40 x 6-12 (-15) mm, lanceolate to oblanceolate, acuminate, attenuate at base, sessile, with entire, rarely undulate or very sparsely denticulate margins, teeth sharp, densely white tomentose below, less to almost arachnoid above. Peduncles erect, glabrous to arachnoid or more or less white lanate, bearing a single capitulum. Capitula 8-10 (-12) mm in diameter, multiflorous; phyllaries multiseriate, linear triangular-gradually acute, floccose lanate; outer phyllaries 3-5 x 0.5 mm, middle ones 4-6 x 0.5-0.6 mm, similar to outer phyllaries in shape, tip brownish, inner ones 6-8 x 0.5 mm, long acuminate. Bisexual florets usually less than the outer female florets,8-9 mm long; corolla tube completely glabrous, lobes recurved, hairy at the tips. Stamens and stigmas subexserted, rounded. Cypselas brown, ± compressed, c. 1 mm long; pappus setae 6-9, 5-6 mm long, scabrid from the apex to the middle.

Distribution: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fl.Per.: May-August.

It is restricted to (900-) 1300-2500 m in the mountainous region of Pakistan and Afghanistan and grows in the rock crevices or in cliffs over the hanging rocks, thus occupying ± similar habitat as that of P. niveum. An Irano-Turanian element, occurring in eastern and western subregions.