Centaurea paniculata

Erect biennial, to 80 cm high. Basal leaves oblanceolate, to 10 cm long and 3 cm wide, pinnatisect, obtuse, surfaces pubescent and scabrous; cauline leaves lanceolate, 1–6 cm long, 2–10 mm wide, pinnatifid, acute to obtuse, sessile. Capitula forming loose corymbs, cylindric, 3–6 mm diam.; involucre 7–10 mm long; intermediate bracts ovate to lanceolate, glabrous, with a pale brown, 4–12-toothed, acuminate terminal appendage 1–2 mm long; inner bracts longer with a less deeply cut terminal appendage. Corolla 10–14 mm long, pink to purple. Cypselas 2.5–3 mm long, pale, obscurely ribbed; pappus of unequal bristles to 1.5 mm long. Flowers mainly spring and summer.