Explore Centaurea solstitialis (Yellow Star-Thistle) - its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.

Centaurea solstitialis | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Yellow Star-Thistle, Golden Star-Thistle, St. Barnaby's Thistle
Family: Asteraceae
Appearance: An annual herb with spiny, branched stems covered in fine hairs. It produces bright yellow flower heads surrounded by sharp spines and has narrow, gray-green leaves.
Type: Annual
Evergreen / Deciduous: N/A
Layer: Herb
Root System: Deep taproot system
Height: 0.3–1 meter
Width: Up to 0.6 meters
Lifespan: Annual
Growth Rate: Rapid
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Yellow, thistle-like flowers bloom in summer and early autumn
Pollinator: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects
Toxicity: Toxic to horses, causing "chewing disease" (nigropallidal encephalomalacia)
Centaurea solstitialis | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Southern Europe, Mediterranean region
Companionship: Frequently grows alongside other Mediterranean annuals and grasses
Invasive Range: Widely invasive in North America, particularly in rangelands and disturbed soils
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5–9
Minimum Chill Hours Required: None specified
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: High tolerance
Drought: High tolerance
Shade: Low tolerance
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: Moderate tolerance
Maritime: Low tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Can regenerate from seeds after fire
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun
Soil Moisture: Thrives in dry, well-drained soils
Soil Type: Adapts to a wide range, including sandy, loamy, or rocky soils
Soil PH: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils (pH 6.5–8.0)
Propagation
Seeds: Easily propagated from seeds; a single plant can produce thousands of seeds that remain viable in the soil for years
Cuttings: Not typically propagated by cuttings
Centaurea solstitialis | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: Not commonly used as a food source
Medicinal: Traditional uses include treatment for digestive issues and skin ailments; scientific validation is limited
Cosmetics: Not typically used in cosmetics
Animal Feed: Not suitable due to toxicity to horses; occasionally grazed by livestock in non-toxic stages
Fiber: Not utilized for fiber
Timber: Not applicable
Firewood: Not applicable
Wind Break: Not suitable as a windbreak
Fence: Not used as a barrier plant
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Not typically used as mulch
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available
Pollinator Attractor: Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators during flowering
Pest Repellent: Not commonly noted as a pest repellent
Wildlife Supporter: Provides nectar for insects and seeds for birds
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