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Pyrrhopappus sect. Piesis Candolle, Prodr. 7: 144. 1838.

Involucre usually narrow at base, 4-6 mm wide, rarely 9-10 mm wide. Outer phyllaries linear to linear-lanceolate, usually appressed to erect, border usually pale greenish or pinkish, narrow, and membranous, apex callose to conspicuously corniculate. Achene only sparsely and shortly spinulose above, gradually to (rarely) subabruptly narrowing into a subcylindric 0.4-1.9 mm cone; beak well developed, 2-7.5 mm. Pappus dirty yellowish to pale pinkish brown. Only sexual, predominantly diploid species.

About eight species: from W Europe to C Asia, Russia (SW Siberia), and China, with highest diversity centered in Turkey and the Caucasus; one species in China.

Lower Taxon

• Taraxacum bessarabicum (Hornemann) Handel-Mazzetti