Description - The purple flowers are clustered in a flower-head at the top of the stems, and develop into long, pointed seed-heads - hence the name. When ripe, they pull apart to release several large seeds at the base. Leaves are arranged in toothed pinnules and are coarsely hairy.

Habitat - Mainly coastal, but also found inland. A common plant on the cliffs, edge of fields, waste land and grassland.

Comment - Only found in the south-west of the British Isles. Some people can detect a musky scent on rubbing the foliage, and others cannot.

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