Centaurea americana
| Centaurea americana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 inches (10 cm) in diameter and are held from May until June. The plant can reach 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) tall and has rough, lance-shaped leaves 4 inches (10 cm) long.
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