Lappula macrantha (Ledeb.) Gürke

It is doubtful that this species belongs in Lappula. The short style hidden by the nutlets and the comparatively short attachment scar of the nutlets are more characteristic of Lepechiniella.

Herbs annual. Stems 20-40 cm, usually branched from base; branches ascending, sparsely spreading pubescent. Leaves light green, lanceolate-spatulate or oblong, wide and flat, 2-4 cm × 5-10 mm, abaxially densely spreading pubescent, apex obtuse. Infructescences branches 3-8 cm, not very loose; bracts small lanceolate. Pedicel 1-2 cm, pubescent. Calyx 1.5-2 mm, elongated in fruit; lobes lanceolate. Corolla sky blue; limb slightly funnelform, 5-8 mm wide; lobes ovate-rounded. Nutlets 4-5 mm; disc with keel of small anchorlike spines and tuberculate, margin with flat whitish yellow glochids 2-3 mm; glochids 4-6 on each side of disc. Style completely hidden. Fl. Apr-Jun, fr. May-Jul.

Sandy and acidic soils of mountain slopes. NW Xinjiang (Ertix He River, Altay Shan) [Kazakhstan, Mongolia]

Echinospermum macranthum Ledebour, Fl. Altaic. 1: 205. 1829.