Common star thistle, Star thistle, Caltrops
Centaurea calcitrapa

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual plant although it sometimes takes 2 years to complete its life cycle. It forms a bush and is slightly woolly. It grows about 1 m high. The leaves at the base form a ring and are deeply divided into narrow lobes. The stem is pale coloured. It is branched, and hairy when young. It becomes smooth with age. The stem leaves are much divided and they get smaller towards the top of the plant. The flowers are pinkish-purple. They are surrounded by bracts with yellow spines at the ends. These spines can be 2.5 cm long. The plant can send out runners in sandy soil.

There are about 450 Centaurea species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in waste places. It will grow in most soils and conditions. It is resistant to drought and frost. It grows in temperate places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain (country/location of origin), Chile, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The young stems and leaves are eaten raw. They are also boiled and seasoned with olive oil and lemon. They are also used in stews.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Abrepuno colorado, Abriojos, Cardo abriojos, Obriulls, Sciaccablisci

Synonyms

Calcitrapa calcitrapoides (L.); Calitrapa hypophaestum Gaertn.; and many others