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Centaurea solstitialis - Yellow Star-Thistle, Golden Star-Thistle

Updated: Jan 26

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

Centaurea solstitialis - Yellow Star-Thistle, Golden Star-Thistle

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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