Description: The plant is high up to 60 cm. The stem and leaves are softly hairy. The bottom of the stem is woody. The leaves are elliptical with a pointed tip. The flower heads consist of tubes of these dark yellow and pale yellow flowers surrounded by spreading bracts whose apex is thorny. The flower heads are slightly convex. The fruit is achenium.

Flowering time: March – July

Habitat: dry soils, rocky surfaces, makija, can often be found along roadsides.

Interesting fact: farnesol, an alcohol used in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics, can be isolated from the spiny starwort