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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Centaurea iberica is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:
Edible cooked[145, 177]. 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.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial and antifungal. Used in Turkish folk medicine to alleviate the pain and inflammatory symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis, high fever, headache, and for healing of wounds. In its native range, various uses in folk medicine are proving to have a scientific basis [1d].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
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]. This species is closely related to C. calcitrapa. 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:
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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 in the summer.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Brazil: centáurea-gigante
English: Iberian knapweed; Iberian starthistle; Spanish centaury-thistle
Spanish: abrepuño gigante; azulejo gigante. Others: Murrar.
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Afghanistan, Asia, Europe, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan.
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.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Can be weedy in its native environment. Established as an invasive alien is Argentina. Centaurea iberica is on prohibited weed lists in Chile and Australia; and is a Class A noxious weed in the US in California and Oregon, and a prohibited noxious weed in Arizona, Nevada and Wyoming.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
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.
Expert comment
Author
Trevir. ex Spreng.
Botanical References
50200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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