Galactites tomentosa - Boar Thistle
Castellano: Calcida blanca
Erect, usually branched only in the upper part; leaves becoming hairless above,
often flecked with white, white felted beneath, the base extending a short distance
down the equally white-felted stem. Leaves pinnately divided with spines 1.5
6mm long. Flower heads 1 - 1.5cm across , florets all tubular, pink, pale purple
or more rarely whitish, the outer ones much longer and more brightly coloured,
spreading. Involucral bracts (between stem and flower head) oval, covered with
cobwebby hairs (may need a lens to see this) , erect, narrowing into a grooved
and greenish tip, 5 - 10mm long.
Found in waysides, fallow land and pastures.
Flowers: April to June