Centaurea iberica

Trevir. ex Spreng.

Iberian star thistle, Spanish thistle

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves, Leaf stalks, Young stems 1,171 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Centaurea iberica, the Iberian knapweed or Iberian star-thistle, is a species of Centaurea. It is native to southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. It is known elsewhere as an introduced species and a noxious weed.

Description

A herb. It grows 20-100 cm tall. It grows for one or two years. The leaves are divided along the stalk. There are about 4 pairs of side lobes or segments. Leaves get smaller up the stem.

Edible Uses

The plant is used as a cooked vegetable, though the specific part used is not recorded.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten raw or included in cooking. The young stems and leaf stalks are trimmed and washed and boiled for a few minutes then flavoured with garlic and lemon juice.

Medicinal Uses

The plant has demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. In Turkish folk medicine it is used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, to reduce high fever, ease headaches, and aid wound healing. Several of its traditional uses within its native range are being validated by scientific research.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in mountainous regions in the Mediterranean. In western China it grows on mountain slopes between 500-900 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Argentina, Asia, Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe, Georgia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, Middle East, North America, Pakistan, Russia, South America, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan,

Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils. This species is closely related to C. calcitrapa. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Sow seed in April in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during the summer.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are 400 to 600 Centaurea species.

Also Known As

Cakirdikeni, Hari qbila, HIstiri cavbellok, Histrizerk, Murrar, Pincari teal, Strizerk.

References (12)

Al-Ismail, A. et al, 2007, Antioxidant Activities of some Edible Wild Mediterranean Plants. Ital. J. Food Sci. n. 3, vol. 19 - 2007 287
Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
Cakir, E. A., 2017, Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants of Iğdır Province (East Anatolia, Turkey). Acta Soc Bot Pol. 2017;86(4):3568.
Demir, I. & Ayaz, N., 2022, Wild edible plants contributing to the traditional foods of Mardin (Turkey) Province. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol 21(3), July 2022, pp 569-582
Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37

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Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement
Kaya, O. M., et al, 2020, An ethnobotanical research in Sanhurfa central district and attached Villages (Turkey). Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol. 19(1) pp 7-23
Luczaj, L. et al, 2017, Comfrey and Buttercup Eaters: Wild Vegetables of the Imereti Region in Western Georgia, Caucasus. Economic Botany, 71(2), 2017, pp. 188–193
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Syst. veg. 3:406. 1826
Tukan, S. K., et al, 1998, The use of wild edible plants in the Jordanian diet. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 49:225-235
Wild Edible Plants in Lebanon. Promoting dietary diversity in poor communities in Lebanon. http://www.wildedibleplants.org/