Status:
valid
Authors:
Steven
Source:
gcc
Year:
1856
Citation Micro:
Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 29(II): 390 (1856)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000006367
Common Names
- Sterile Star-thistle
- Sterile Starthistle
- Sterile Star-thistl
Synonyms
- Centaurea sterilis sterilis [unknown]
- Centaurea alba sterilis (Steven) Mikheev [unknown]
- Centaurea alba M.Bieb. [unknown]
- Centaurea splendens sterilis (Steven) Stoj. & Acht. [unknown]
- Centaurea stankovii N.B.Illar. [unknown]
Description
Centaurea sterilis (also called Sterile Centaurea, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to the western United States. It has small, white flowers with yellow centers and grows in dry, sandy soils in open woodlands and prairies.
Uses & Benefits
Centaurea sterilis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat fever, headache, and other ailments.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Centaurea alba sub. formanekii (Halácsy) Dostál
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Centaurea sterilis has small, white flowers with yellow centers. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with small, oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Centaurea sterilis is a perennial plant that can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but will not tolerate wet or water-logged soils. It is best to sow the seeds in the fall or early spring. Divide the clumps in the spring or fall. Water regularly and fertilize lightly.
Where to Find Centaurea sterilis
Centaurea sterilis is native to the Mediterranean region and can be found in dry, open areas such as grasslands and rocky slopes.
Centaurea sterilis FAQ
What is the scientific name of Centaurea sterilis?
Centaurea sterilis
What is the common name of Centaurea sterilis?
Sterile Knapweed
What is the habitat of Centaurea sterilis?
Centaurea sterilis is found in dry, open woods, thickets, and roadsides.
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,