Lappula barbata (M. Bieb.) Gürke

A widespread and variable species. According to Kazmi (l.c. 509) our plant is var. cariensis which differs from the type variety in smaller corolla breadth (3-5 mm) and nutlets with 2-seriate marginal appendages-in which the outer series is much shorter than the inner series of appendages

Biennial or annual up to 40 cm tall. Stem and branches covered with grayish appressed to subappressed hairs. Basal leaves linear-lanceolate, 20-60 x 4-8 mm, covered on both surfaces with subappressed and appressed hairs. Cauline leaves similar but smaller and narrower; fruiting pedicels erect, 1.5-3 mm long. Calyx lobes narrow oblong, c. 2-3 mm long, up to 4 mm in fruit. Corolla blue, tube c. 2 mm long, limb flat, 3-5 mm broad. Nutlets 3-4 mm long, ovoid, margin with 2 rows of appendages; inner (marginal) row with appendages 1-2 mm long, the outer row smaller. Middle dorsal area tuberculate, usually keeled. Sides of nutlets tuberculate. Style exceeding the nutlet length.

Distribution: Turkey, Syria, Armenia, Iraq, Iran, URSS, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir.

Fl. Per.: May-June.