Centaurea solstitialis - L.

Common Name

St. Barnaby's Thistle, Yellow star-thistle

Family

Asteraceae

USDA hardiness

5-9

Known Hazards

There is a report that the plant causes brain lesions and a nervous syndrome called 'chewing disease' in horses[274].

Habitats

Cultivated land and waste ground[100].

Range

S. Europe to W. Asia. Occasionally established in S. and E. England[17].

Edibility Rating

(1 of 5)

Other Uses

(0 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(1 of 5)

Care (info)




http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Penarc

Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Centaurea solstitialis is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The plant is eaten as a vegetable[100]. The part used is not specified.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Lithontripic

The powdered seed is used as a remedy for stone[4]. The powdered root is said to be a cure for fistula and gravel[4].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1, 200]. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position[200]. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils[200]. A good bee and butterfly plant the flowers are rich in nectar[171]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can be sown in situ in the spring, and an autumn swing in situ might also be worth trying.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

St. Barnaby's Thistle, Yellow star-thistle, golden starthistle, yellow cockspur, Barnaby Thistle

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan EUROPE: Hungary, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica) AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Introduced in several parts of the world, including Australia, Argentina, Chile, and the USA where it can become an invasive species and noxious weed. The plant is considered an invasive species in the US states: California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and New Jersey.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Centaurea acaulis		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	0	0	1
Centaurea calcitrapa	Common Star Thistle, Red star-thistle	Biennial	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	DM	1	1
Centaurea chamaerhaponticum			0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Centaurea cyanus	Cornflower, Garden cornflower, Blue Bottle, Cornflower	Annual	1.0	0-0	F	LMH	N	DM	2	2	2
Centaurea depressa	Iranian knapweed	Annual/Perennial	0.3	6-9		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Centaurea iberica	Iberian Star Thistle, Iberian knapweed	Biennial	0.9	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	2	0
Centaurea jacea	Brown Knapweed	Perennial	0.6	5-9		LMH	N	DM	1	1	0
Centaurea melitensis	Maltese Star Thistle	Annual	0.5	6-9		LMH	N	DM	0	1	0
Centaurea montana	Mountain Cornflower, Perennial cornflower, Mountain Bluet	Perennial	0.5	3-9	F	LMH	N	DM	0	2	3
Centaurea nigra	Black Knapweed, Lesser knapweed	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	N	DM	1	2	0
Centaurea raphanina		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	N	DM	1	0
Centaurea scabiosa	Greater Knapweed	Perennial	0.9	4-8		LMH	N	DM	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Support Plants For A Future

Plants For A Future relies on regular donations to keep our free database and search facilities going, to pay for ongoing research, improvements and enhancements, and to develop and publish new books. Read more

Choose Currency

Donate in £ GBP Donate in $ USD Donate in € EUR

Securely pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card without an account.

Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

17100

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here