| Centaurea americana | |
|---|---|
| Centaurea americana flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Cynareae |
| Genus: | Centaurea |
| Species: | C. americana |
| Binomial name | |
| Centaurea americana Nutt. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Plectocephalus americanus (Nutt.) D.Don[1] |
|
Centaurea americana, commonly called American Starthistle or American Basketflower, is an annual[1] native to the southern central United States and northeastern Mexico.[2] Its common name comes from the underside of the inflorescence, which has a basket weave pattern on it and on the flowerbuds.
The pink petals look somewhat like a thistle with a cream colored center. Blooms are 4" in diameter and are held from May until June. The plant can reach 5-6' tall and has rough 4" long lance-shaped leaves.
The plant is often cultivated for its showy flowers, and can sometimes be found outside its native range as an escape from cultivation.[2]