Purple Star Thistle

Scientific name: Centaurea calcitrapa L.

Common names: Purple star thistle, red star thistle, common star thistle

Native To: Mediterranean Region

Date of U.S. Introduction: Early 1900s

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Accidental

Impact: Crowds out native species

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Management Plans: Plants

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Centaurea calcitrapa L.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Centaurea calcitrapa Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Centaurea calcitrapa L. - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Plant profile for Centaurea calcitrapa - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Illustrations; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Centaurea genus - EncycloWeedia
California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Identification/Description; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Class A Noxious Weed: Purple Starthistle
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Legal Aspects

Centaurea calcitrapa - CalPhotos
University of California - Berkeley. Digital Library Project.
Photographs

Purple Starthistle - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution

Managing Purple and Iberian Starthistles (PDF | 134 KB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Controls

Purple Starthistle Wanted Poster--Dead, Not Alive! (PDF | 168 KB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs

Problem Thistles of Oregon (PDF | 637 KB)
Oregon State University. Extension and Experiment Station.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution

Purple Starthistle and Iberian Starthistle
Washington State University. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Impacts; Distribution; Controls; Legal Aspects

Centaurea calcitrapa L. (Red Star-thistle)
BioImages Virtual Field-Guide.
Photographs

Centaurea calcitrapa - Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands Book (2000)
California Invasive Plant Council.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Purple Starthistle - Weed Alert
State of California. Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Legal Aspects

Purple Starthistle - IVM Technical Bulletin
Integrated Pest Management Information Service.
Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls