Japan Flora: Plant 0.5-1 m., rarely to 2 m. high; stems often densely pubescent at base; radical leaves obovate-oblong, 15-30 cm. long, narrowed at base, loosely pubescent above, pubescent on nerves beneath, pinnately cleft to toothed, the lobes 5 or 6 pairs, oblong, short spine-tipped, the median caulinc leaves oblong, broadly clasping at base, pinnately cleft; heads usually terminal, erect, viscid; involucres depressed-globose, 1.5-2 cm. long, 2.5-4 cm. wide; bracts 6- or 7-seriate, slightly cobwebby, linear, the outer very short, somewhat longer in the inner, acuminate, short spine-tipped, entire, viscid on back; corollas purplish or rose-colored, 18-23 mm. long. June-Aug. (-Oct.). Lowlands and low elevations in the mountains.

Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu; very common and variable; some­times cultivated for cut-flowers. 

 

Var. ibukiense Nakai. C. ibit^iense (Nakai) Nakai----------

Miyama-ko-azami. Stems short, densely leafy; spines stout,

1-                       5 mm. long.