Centaurea muricata L.   Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)   Spain   Centaurea                        Prickly Starthistle                              Muricated Thistle

                                             March Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Annual, 2-8 dm. high, +/- villous below, subglabrous above; basal lvs. lyrate-pinnatifid into dentate lobes, upper lvs. entire; stem-branches long, slender, loosely paniculate, ending in single heads; invol. ovoid, ca. 15 mm. long, villous-pubescent; phyllaries imbricate in many ranks, ovate, entire, the terminal spine 3-4 mm. long; fls. violet to white; aks. dark, ca. 3 mm. long striate and with transverse pits between; the pappus of outer imbricate scales and inner white bristles.

Habitat:  Occasional escape at Santa Barbara.  May-June.

Name:  Centaurie, ancient Greek name, without clear application.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 134).  Muracatus, muricate, roughened by means of hard points or  prickly. (Bailey 18).

General:  Rare in the study area, having been found only in Big Canyon where it may have been introduced after the area was graded to create the fresh water pond.  In March 2003 I found several specimens near the bluff top between 23rd St. and Delhi.  (my comments).      The outer flowers of  C. cyanus, a European native but extensively cultivated in the U.S., are used as a cordial and tonic.  (Meyer 36).      About 500 spp. mostly of Old World, many cultivated for the flowers.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 134).        Centaurea muricata not naturalized.  (Hickman, Ed. 1326).

Text Ref:  Abrams, Vol. IV 542; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 135; Roberts 9.

Photo Ref:  May 1 87 # 17,18,19; Mar-April 88 # 3A,4A..

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

First Found:  May 1987.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 364

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 7/30/05.  

                                  May Photo                                                                           May Photo