Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
melitensis
ID:
6056

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.

Source:
gcc

Year:
1753

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 917 (1753)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000005385

Common Names

  • Centaurea Melitensis
  • Maltese Centaurea
  • Maltese Star-thistle

Searching for Centaurea melitensis? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Synonyms

  • Seridia melitensis Sweet [unknown]
  • Cyanus melitensis Gaertn. [unknown]
  • Solstitiaria melitensis Hill [unknown]
  • Centaurea congesta Willd. ex DC. [unknown]
  • Calcitrapa melitensis (L.) Soják [unknown]
  • Triplocentron apulum Cass. [unknown]
  • Centaurea patibilcensis (Kunth) DC. [unknown]
  • Calcitrapa sessiliflora Lam [unknown]
  • Calcitrapa conferta Moench [unknown]
  • Centaurea reuteriana pinnatisecta Parsa [unknown]
  • Centaurea glomerata Webb & Berthel. [unknown]
  • Triplocentron melitense Cass. [unknown]
  • Centaurea apula Lam. [unknown]
  • Centaurea americana Spreng. [unknown]

Description

Centaurea melitensis (also called 'Maltese Star Thistle', 'Maltese Star Thistle' and 'Maltese Star Thistle', among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. It grows in dry, sunny areas and has spiny, grey-green leaves and purple flowers. It can reach up to 1 meter in height.

Uses & Benefits

Centaurea melitensis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments such as fever, colds, and headaches.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Centaurea melitensis is a bright yellow, star-shaped head with a diameter of about 2 cm. The seed is a small, dark brown achene with a white pappus. The seedlings are small and have a rosette of leaves.

Searching for Centaurea melitensis? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Centaurea melitensis can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix in spring or early summer. Division should be done in spring or autumn. The plants should be kept in a sunny or partially shaded position.

Where to Find Centaurea melitensis

Centaurea melitensis is native to the Mediterranean region. It can be found in dry, rocky, and sandy soils.

Centaurea melitensis FAQ

What is the scientific name of Centaurea melitensis?

Centaurea melitensis

What is the common name of Centaurea melitensis?

Maltese Star-thistle

Where is Centaurea melitensis native to?

Malta and Sicily

Species in the Centaurea genus

Centaurea pseudomaculosa, Centaurea spicata, Centaurea loscosii, Centaurea triniifolia, Centaurea gadorensis, Centaurea messenicolasiana, Centaurea werneri, Centaurea grisebachii, Centaurea noguerensis, Centaurea papposa, Centaurea vermiculigera, Centaurea saxicola, Centaurea linifolia, Centaurea antitauri, Centaurea lactiflora, Centaurea vavilovii, Centaurea aplolepa, Centaurea sphaerocephala, Centaurea integrans, Centaurea ognjanoffii, Centaurea stevenii, Centaurea centauroides, Centaurea pinnata, Centaurea aeolica, Centaurea cankiriensis, Centaurea ebenoides, Centaurea ceratophylla, Centaurea simonkaiana, Centaurea rothmaleriana, Centaurea chalcidicaea, Centaurea pinnatifida, Centaurea nervosa, Centaurea foveolata, Centaurea elbrusensis, Centaurea triumfettii, Centaurea hermanni, Centaurea djebel-amouri, Centaurea chrysantha, Centaurea monticola, Centaurea melitensis, Centaurea affinis, Centaurea kizildaghensis, Centaurea filiformis, Centaurea scillae, Centaurea vatevii, Centaurea sterilis, Centaurea handelii, Centaurea androssovii, Centaurea litardierei, Centaurea oxylepis,

Species in the Asteraceae family

Aaronsohnia pubescens, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Abrotanella filiformis, Abrotanella rostrata, Abrotanella linearis, Abrotanella trilobata, Abrotanella muscosa, Abrotanella inconspicua, Abrotanella trichoachaenia, Abrotanella caespitosa, Abrotanella nivigena, Abrotanella pusilla, Abrotanella linearifolia, Abrotanella papuana, Abrotanella rosulata, Abrotanella emarginata, Abrotanella fertilis, Abrotanella spathulata, Abrotanella purpurea, Abrotanella patearoa, Abrotanella submarginata, Abrotanella diemii, Abrotanella scapigera, Abrotanella forsterioides, Acamptopappus shockleyi, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Acanthocephalus benthamianus, Acanthocephalus amplexifolius, Acanthocladium dockeri, Acanthodesmos distichus, Acanthodesmos gibarensis, Acanthospermum humile, Acanthospermum consobrinum, Acanthospermum glabratum, Acanthospermum microcarpum, Acanthospermum hispidum, Acanthospermum australe, Acanthospermum lecocarpoides, Acanthostyles buniifolius, Acanthostyles saucechicoensis, Achillea buiana, Achillea conrathii, Achillea cucullata, Achillea styriaca, Achillea clavennae, Achillea cappadocica, Achillea huber-morathii, Achillea ptarmicoides, Achillea sieheana, Achillea barrelieri,

References