Cousinia minuta (Gintzburger et al., 2003)
| Cousinia minuta (Gintzburger et al., 2003) |
Cousinia minuta Boiss.
Local name:
- Russian: Кузиния крошечная - kuzinija krošečnaja
Chromosome number: 2n = 20 (Mehra et al. 1965; Fedorov 1969).
Description and morphology: Annual herb (height 20–35 cm). Stem: white, glabrous, dichotomous branching from base. Thin branches, one-headed, form a spherical bush. Leaves: soft, sessile, oval to oblong, abruptly tapering to a thin spine; margins finely dentate. Inflorescence: capitule (6–7 mm) almost spherical. Few involucre leaflets (up to 7 mm long), keel-shaped, externally horizontally rejected, narrowly lanceolate, ending in strong spine. Receptacle smooth.
Reproduction: Flowering: April–May. Fruit maturation: May–June.
Pastoral importance: None, poor contribution to biomass.
Habitat: Occurs in clay deserts, on plains, in oases and foothill areas.
Distribution: Central Asia (Kyzylkum and Karakum), Iran and Kashmir.