Iberian Star Thistle, Iberian knapweed
Centaurea iberica
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Centaurea iberica is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Mountain slopes in Tibet at elevations of 500 - 800 metres.
S.E. Europe to S.W. Asia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Europe, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Edible cooked. The part used is not specified.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial and antifungal. Used in Turkish folk medicine to alleviate the pain and inflammatory symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis, high fever, headache, and for healing of wounds. In its native range, various uses in folk medicine are proving to have a scientific basis.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
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.
Propagating it: Seed - sow April in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Biennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Can be weedy in its native environment. Established as an invasive alien is Argentina. Centaurea iberica is on prohibited weed lists in Chile and Australia; and is a Class A noxious weed in the US in California and Oregon, and a prohibited noxious weed in Arizona, Nevada and Wyoming.
Its other names
Local names
Brazil: centáurea-gigante English: Iberian knapweed; Iberian starthistle; Spanish centaury-thistle Spanish: abrepuño gigante; azulejo gigante. Others: Murrar.