Centaurea solstitialis

Centaurea solstitialis, the yellow star-thistle, is a species of thorny plant in the genus Centaurea, which is part of the family Asteraceae. A winter annual, it is native to the Mediterranean Basin region and invasive in many other places. It is also known as golden starthistle, yellow cockspur and St. Barnaby's thistle (or Barnaby thistle).

Description

An annual plant. It grows 1 m tall. It is stiff and erect and has a downy white covering. The leaves at the base are much divided. The lobe at the end is the largest. The leaves on the stem do not have stalks. They are narrow and entire. They continue as wings down the stem. The bracts around the flower have spines. Some spines are smaller than others.

Edible Uses

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

Traditional Uses

It is also the source of a sweet honey. The leaves are boiled and seasoned with olive oil and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The powdered seed is used as a remedy for kidney or bladder stones. The powdered root is reputed to cure fistula and gravel.

Known Hazards

Grazing of the plant by horses can cause nigropallidal encephalomalacia or "chewing disease", a neurological condition. The disease generally follows consumption of 60–200% of the horse's body weight over an extended period of a month or more, or 2.3–2.6 kilograms (5.1–5.7 pounds) of star-thistle per 100 kg (220 lb) body weight per day. Though star-thistle is most dangerous when it is the only plant available or is delivered as a contaminant in dried hay, horses may develop a taste for it and seek it out. Many other grazing species, including mules and burros, are not affected.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in dry habitats and stony ground. It grows in warm temperate places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, Europe*, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, North America, Saudi Arabia, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils. A good bee and butterfly plant the flowers are rich in nectar. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation

Sow seed in April in a cold frame. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings out into individual pots and plant into permanent positions during the summer. With sufficient seed, it can be sown directly in situ in spring; an autumn sowing in situ may also be worth trying.

Other Uses

None known. The plant attracts wildlife.

Notes

There are 400 to 600 Centaurea species. A disease of horses has been recorded in the USA from eating this plant.

Also Known As

Cakirdikeni, Ciarrucciolo, Histiti cavbellok, Histrizerk, Pincar, Strizerk, Zimane civike

References (18)

• Al-Sodany, Y. M., et al, 2013, Medicinal Plants in Saudi Arabia: I. Sarrwat Mountains at Taif, KSA. Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (4): 134-145
• Biscotti, N. & Pieroni, A., 2015, The hidden Mediterranean diet: wild vegetables traditionally gathered and consumed in the Gargano area, Apulia, SE Italy. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 84 (3): 327-338
• Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 456
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 236

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