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Asteraceae
Star Thistle
Centaurea calcitrapa
Defiance and protection.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Centaurea
- Native to
- Mediterranean, Southern Europe
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- biennial herb
- Height
- 1-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- dry, well-drained, poor
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 5-10
- Lifespan
- biennial
Did you know
- The species name 'calcitrapa' means 'foot trap,' referencing the sharp spines that resemble medieval caltrops used to slow cavalry.
- In traditional Mediterranean herbal medicine, the roots were used to treat fevers and digestive ailments.
- Despite its spiny appearance, the flowers produce abundant nectar and are important for Mediterranean bee species.
- Star thistles are pioneer species that colonize disturbed ground, helping to prevent soil erosion.
- The Centaurea genus is named after the centaur Chiron from Greek mythology, who was said to have used a related plant to heal wounds.
Color meanings
0
defiance
1
protection
2
independence