Maltese Star-Thistle
ExplorePlants
Maltese Star-Thistle
centaurea melitensis
The Maltese Star-Thistle has bright yellow flowers that look like little stars! This plant is fun to find in the wild and is a food source for many insects.
Habitat: It typically grows in sunny grasslands and open fields.
Appearance
The Maltese Star-Thistle has bright yellow, solitary flowers with sharp, spiny bracts that look like tiny stars or sunbursts. Its stems are slender and often branched, giving the plant a somewhat bushy appearance, and its leaves are grayish-green, often lobed or toothed.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCentaurea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It's an expert at surviving droughts, thanks to its super-long root system!
Its 'star' name comes from the spiky bracts beneath its yellow flowers!
The seeds have a feathery parachute, helping them float away on the wind to new homes!
This plant is often called a 'weed' because it's so good at growing almost anywhere!
Special abilities
Ability
Spiky Shield
Maltese Star-Thistle has sharp spines around its flowers and leaves that help protect it from hungry animals.
Ability
Rooty Reach
This plant can grow a super long taproot, helping it find water deep underground during dry spells.
Ability
Seed Shower
Maltese Star-Thistle produces many seeds that can spread far, helping it pop up in lots of new places.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to mid-summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
eaten by
Star-thistle Flower Weevil
Larinus curtus
larvae feed on seeds within the flower head
eaten by
Domestic Cattle
Bos taurus
graze on young, less spiny plants
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Also known as
Maltese ThistleMediterranean ThistleStar Thistle
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Avoid touching the spiky leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Maltese Star-Thistle?
10-90 cm
How wide does Maltese Star-Thistle spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Maltese Star-Thistle?
1-2 cm
When does Maltese Star-Thistle bloom?
Late spring to mid-summer
Is Maltese Star-Thistle edible?
Yes
Is Maltese Star-Thistle toxic?
Mild
What is Maltese Star-Thistle's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Maltese Star-Thistle pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
