Herbage cobwebby-tomentose proximally, glabrous distally. Stems usually 1, leafless distally. Leaves: basal blades oblong, 10-25 cm, margins pinnately lobed; cauline linear to lanceolate, smaller distally, dentate to pinnately dissected. Heads long-pedunculate. Involucres ovoid, distally narrowed. Phyllaries greenish or stramineous, apically blackish, spine tips deciduous, spreading or reflexed, 1-3 mm. Corollas ± purple (rarely white). Cypselae dark brown, 3-4 mm; pappus bristles brownish white or reddish, 2-3 mm. 2n = 18 (Italy), 20 (North Africa), 22 (Europe).

Flowering spring-early summer (May-Jun). Disturbed sites; 0-1700 m; introduced; Ariz., Calif.; Europe; n Africa.

Mantisalca salmantica is native to the Mediterranean region. It is considered an uncommon introduction into disturbed sites.