Centaurea americana
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Centaurea americana

American star-thistle
basket flower

  family asteraceae 
  genus centaurea 

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Identification
Genus  Centaurea Species  americana Variety  Cultivar  Common names  American star-thistle   basket flower Family  ASTERACEAE Specimen number  S11707 Data source  HtZn p92;Xeri p277
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Annual Life span  1 year Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Various Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  4' - 6' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Moist Optimal soil texture  Loam Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  USDA zones 03a-09b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 09-01 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Centaurea americana can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. American star-thistle (also known as basket flower) needs summer days with high heat. The best soil for this plant has a texture that is loamy. It does well in moist soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Seed Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement  Cool Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  It does not necessarily require warm days for good production. Propagation of Centaurea americana can be achieved by seed.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Centaurea americana has an annual life cycle. Flowers: American star-thistle (locally known in some parts as basket flower) has 4" to 5" fringed flowers. The blossoms are usually a pink color, with an accent in cream.

Page 988 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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