Centaurea solstitialis   St. Barnaby's Thistle

Centaurea solstitialis whole Centaurea solstitialis flower

This particular Knapweed also known as Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Cockspur and Golden Starthistle stood nearly 2m tall with spiny flowerheads. The spines on the flowers can be even longer than in the photograph. The winged stems are also a characteristic. It seems to be quite variable with much smaller plants growing on poorer, drier ground.

Centaurea solstitialis

Centaurea solstitialis St. Barnaby's Thistle

Grounds of Alora Castle, Andalucia, Spain 29th March 2008

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Centaurea solstitialis

Grounds of Alora Castle, Andalucia, Spain 29th March 2008

Added on 5th April 2008, updated 26th November 2008, updated 11th March 2010, updated 16th March 2013

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