Lomelosia sphaciotica

Lomelosia sphaciotica (also known as Scabiosa sphaciotica) is a creeping plant of the high mountains of Crete (1400 to 2400m) where it grows in scree, rock crevices and flat doline bottoms. It forms tufts or mats of very hairy grey leaves and bears heads of lilac-pink flowers in summer (June to August).
The flower heads are up to 1.5cm in size with no more than 8 peripheral florets.

The flowers above were photographed in the White Mountains (between the summits of Sternes, Mesa Soros and Svourichiti) at between 2200 and 2300m in August.

You can click on the pictures to enlarge.