Red star thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa, Sp. Pl.: 917 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 917 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centaurea

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran and Arabian Pen.

Description

The Red Star Thistle, scientifically named Centaurea calcitrapa, is a distinctive and resilient species belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant was first described in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753.

Geographically, Centaurea calcitrapa is widespread and adaptable. It thrives across a broad range extending from the Macaronesian Islands through the Mediterranean region, reaching as far as Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. This distribution showcases the plant’s ability to flourish in diverse climatic and soil conditions.

The Red Star Thistle is renowned for its striking appearance. Typically, it features spiny, star-shaped flower heads that are vividly adorned in shades of red and sometimes purple. These colorful bracts are not merely for show; they serve as effective deterrents to herbivores, illustrating the plant’s survival adaptations.

Ecologically, Centaurea calcitrapa plays a significant role in its habitat. It often occupies disturbed grounds and wastelands, where it contributes to soil stabilization and provides nectar for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Despite its benefits, it is important to manage its growth, as it can become invasive in certain environments, outcompeting native vegetation.

In summary, the Red Star Thistle, or Centaurea calcitrapa, is a remarkable and visually captivating member of the Asteraceae family. Its wide natural range from the Macaronesian region to the Middle East underscores its adaptability and ecological importance, though care must be taken to prevent its spread in susceptible areas.

Common Names

Deu: fussangelflockenblume, stern-flockenblume
Eng: red star-thistle, purple cockspur, purple star thistle, red star thistle, saucy-bob, star thistle, star-thistle, purple starthistle, big-headed purple starthistle, red starthistle
Dan: stjerne-knopurt
Fra: centaurée chausse-trape, chausse-trape, centaurée chausse-trappe, centaurée étoilée, chausse-trappe
Ces: chrpa sikavice
Nld: kalketrip
Ara: morrar, shuk
Lav: starain
Swe: tistelklint
Cym: seraidd ysgallen, y bengaled seraidd, ysgallen seraidd
En: Red star thistle, Saucy-bob, Purple cockspur, Purple star thistle, Star thistle, Red star-thistle, Calotrops, Mouse thorn, Star-thistle, Purple starthistle, Big-headed purple starthistle, Red starthistle, Common Star-thistle, Big-head Purple Star-thistle, Common Star Thistle, Purple knapweed
Ar: Morrar, Shuk, شوك, مرار (مُرار)، مرير (مُرير), مرير (مُريْر)، مرور (مرّور), قنطريون جيري
Eu: Lubeazun
Bg: Дългоиглеста метличина
Ca: Card estellat, Card estrellat, Floravia
Cs: Chrpa sikavice
Da: Stjerne-knopurt
Nl: Kalketrip
Fi: Piikkikaunokki
Fr: Chausse-trape, Centaurée chausse-trape, Centaurée chausse-trappe, Centaurée étoilée, Chausse-trappe, Chardon étoilé
De: Stern-Flockenblume, Fussangelflockenblume, Fußangel-Flockenblume, Stern-Distel
It: Calcatreppola, Calcetreppola, Cardo riccio, Fiordaliso stellato, Ippofesto
Lv: Starainā dzelzene, Starain
Pt-br: Centáurea-colirada, Centáurea-estrela
Es: Abrepuño colorado, Cardo estrellado
Sv: Tistelklint
Uk: Волошка колючеголова
Cy: Y bengaled seraidd, Seraidd Ysgallen, Ysgallen Seraidd

Synonyms

• Rhaponticum calcitrapa ((L.) Scop.)
• Centaurea calcitrapa var. gracilis (Merino)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2017 by Laid Guemou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Bruno MACÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 1986 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 1986 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by medusa (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 6, 2016 by Francesc Riudavets (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Ertan Seçkin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2019 by Isabelle Saffrey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330052-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3128483)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Centaurea calcitrapa L.)

Specifications

Growth