Centaurea americana
Centaurea americana | |
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Centaurea americana flower | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Centaurea |
Species: | C. americana |
Binomial name | |
Centaurea americana Nutt. | |
Synonyms[1] | |
Plectocephalus americanus (Nutt.) D.Don |
Centaurea americana, commonly called American starthistle or American basketflower, is an annual[1] native to the southern central United States and northeastern Mexico.[2] Its common name comes from the underside of the inflorescence, which has a basket weave pattern on it and on the flowerbuds.
The pink petals look somewhat like a thistle with a cream colored center. Blooms are 4" in diameter and are held from May until June. The plant can reach 5-6' tall and has rough 4" long lance-shaped leaves.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Centaurea_americanabud.jpg/250px-Centaurea_americanabud.jpg)
The plant is often cultivated for its showy flowers, and can sometimes be found outside its native range as an escape from cultivation.[2]
References
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