Pluchea arguta Boiss.

A variable species, particularly, the leaf breadth and the indumentum. Densely glandular pubescent to almost glabrous forms are met with in our region.Two subspecies are recognized.

An erect branched, stout shrub, pungent, stem and branches terete, glutinous-pubescent to papillose or almost glabrous. Leaves quite variable, 1.5-3 (-3.5) x 0.3-0.8 (2.0) cm, sessile, alternate, sessile, attenuate at base, oblong-oblanceolate or obovate, acute to subacute, coarsely serrate, dentate, teeth 5-7, sharp, densely glandulose to papillose or completely glabrous on both surfaces. Capitula ovoid or campanulate, 4-12 mm in diameter, solitary or few arranged in subcorymbose fashion; receptacle flat, naked; peduncle glandular hairy to almost glabrous; phyllaries 5-6-seriate, outer lanceolate, acute, serrate, pubescent, 2-3 x c. 0.5 mm, middle acute, pubescent, slightly longer than the outer ones, inner linear acute, entire, 5-7 x c. 0.5 mm. Florets pink or violet, marginal florets female, filiform, many; disc florets bisexual, fewer 6-20 (-30). Anther bases caudate. Cypselas small, linear to spindle shaped; pappus setae 6-7 (-10).