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(Centaurea melitensis)
Maltese Star-Thistle (Centaurea melitensis)
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George Williams
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
George Williams
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: George Williams | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: George Williams | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-06-07T11:42:38-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Centaurea melitensis, commonly known as Maltese Star-Thistle, is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region, including parts of Europe and North Africa. It typically reaches a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 2 feet (0.6 meters). The plant has a spiny appearance with deeply lobed leaves and spiny-winged stems. It produces distinctive yellow flowers from late spring to early summer, which are thistle-like in form and can be quite showy.
Maltese Star-Thistle is valued for its drought tolerance and is often used in xeriscaping and naturalized areas where low maintenance is desired. However, it is considered a noxious weed in many regions due to its aggressive self-seeding and potential to outcompete native vegetation. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it can be an attractive addition to wildflower meadows, its invasiveness should be carefully considered, and it should not be planted where it can spread uncontrollably.CC BY-SA 4.0
Maltese Star-Thistle is valued for its drought tolerance and is often used in xeriscaping and naturalized areas where low maintenance is desired. However, it is considered a noxious weed in many regions due to its aggressive self-seeding and potential to outcompete native vegetation. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it can be an attractive addition to wildflower meadows, its invasiveness should be carefully considered, and it should not be planted where it can spread uncontrollably.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Other Names
Common Names: Tocalote, Tocolote, Maltese Centaury, American Star-Thistle, Maltese Knapweed, Maltese Starthistle, Napa Thistle, Tocalote, Maltese Cockspur, Maltese Star Thistle
Scientific Names: , Centaurea melitensis, Centaurea apula, Centaurea glomerata, Calcitrapa melitensis, Centaurea sessiliflora, Calcitrapa conferta, Calcitrapa sessiliflora, Centaurea congesta, Centaurea patibilcensis
GBIF Accepted Name: Centaurea melitensis L.