Inula hirta

Inula hirta reaches a height of 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in). The stem is ascending, simple (unbranched) and cylindrical, the surface is striped and hairy. These plants are covered with stiff hairs, almost bristly and light in color. The underground portion consists of an oblique rhizome not too big of a light color. Average size of the rhizome: width 2 millimetres (0.079 in), length 25 millimetres (0.98 in).

All the leaves along the stem (cauline) are alternately arranged, irregularly toothed, erect, tomentose on both sides and hairy on the edge. They are usually laminar, leathery and rough. The base is rounded and the apex is obtuse. The average size of the leaves varies from 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in) of width to a length of 40–50 millimetres (1.6–2.0 in). Lower leaves have an elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate shape and have a thin petiole. Their size is more or less similar to the cauline one. Upper leaves are sessile, amplexicaul (their base is embracing the stem) and more lanceolate.

The flowers are hermaphrodite The outer flowers are ligulate, bright yellow and feminine, while the inner ones are tubular, dark yellow and bisexual. The diameter of the flower varies from 35–50 millimetres (1.4–2.0 in). The flowering period extends from May through late September. The fruits are glabrous achenes with hairy appendages (pappus).

This plant is distributed on Alps, Vosges, Jura Mountains, Pyrenees, Carpathian Mountains, Dinaric Alps, and Balkan Mountains. In the European plains this plant is widespread in southern France and through the Balkan Peninsula to the Caucasus and southern Russia.

This plant prefers dry meadows and pastures of hills and mountains. They can be found up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level.

• Inula hirta
• Pignatti S. – Flora d'Italia (3 vol.) – Edagricole – 1982. vol. III, p. 45

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