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Centaurea solstitialis L.
Fam: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Genus: Centaurea L. = Cornflower
Species: Centaurea solstitialis L.
English Name: Yellow star-thistle
Description:
Centaurea solstitialis is a grayish-green plant with multiple rigid stems that extend in all directions from the base, forming a bushy-looking cluster that can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height and more than that in diameter. It produces bright yellow flowers ringed with long, sharp spines. The plant grows quickly and is very competitive. It bears a taproot that can reach 1 metre (3.3 ft) deep into the soil, allowing it to thrive during dry, hot summers. It is versatile in its growth patterns, and can adapt to drought or low soil moisture content by producing smaller plants with fewer seeds during dry years. Do not be fooled by its looks. It is very harmful with its spikey 5-centimeter long spines.
The Yellow star-thistle plant has the ability to create monotypic stands and habitats in the cultivated soil of fields, graded dirt sites, and disturbed natural ecosystem lands. Its colonization eliminates and prevents other plant species from growing terminating the habitat'sbiodiversity. Extensive spreading monotypic fields of yellow starthistle are not uncommon. Its growth plasticity, competitiveness, preference for the Mediterranean climate, and a lack of natural herbivore enemies and co-evolved species, make it a very successful invader. The plant is an invasive pest in field crops, degrades native plant habitats and natural ecosystems, prevents the grazing ofdomestic animals in rangelands, and is a physical barrier to indigenous animal movement in wildlands.
Flowering Time: July - October.
Origin: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distribution in Bulgaria: Throughout Bulgaria. (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) conspectus&gs_l= Zlc
Distribution:
Centaurea solstitialis, yellow star-thistle, is a member of the Asteraceae family, native to the Mediterranean Basin region. The plant is also known as golden starthistle, yellow cockspur and St. Barnaby's thistle (or Barnaby thistle)[1] The plant is a thorny winterannual species in the knapweed genus.
Conservation status and threats: not protected species in Bulgaria by the Biodiversity Law; Законодателство на Република България: Закон за биологичното разнообразие
Medical plant: http://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2134916096
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