Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Centaurea L., Sp. Pl. 909 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Knapweed; Star thistle
 Description

Annual to perennial herbs, rarely shrubby. Stems winged or not. Hairs long and multicellular, short and glandular, and cobwebby to lanate. Lvs alternate, sessile, decurrent on stems or not, simple, entire to 1–2-pinnatisect, not spinous, often with minute glandular depressions or pits on surface. Capitula ovoid or cylindric or globose, solitary or clustered. Involucral bracts in several series, hairy or glabrous, usually with an apical appendage; appendages spinous or membranous, pectinate, fimbriate, or lacerate, decurrent on the bract margins or narrowed at junction with bract. Receptacle ± flat; scales bristly. Inner florets ☿, tubular; outer florets neuter, usually radiate. Corolla glabrous or with glandular papillae, 5-lobed, purple, pink, blue, yellow, or white. Anthers tapered to a rounded apex, with short, tapering basal appendages; filaments bearded. Style branches linear, erect, appressed or diverging slightly at apex. Achenes cylindric to clavate, glabrous or finely pubescent, smooth; achene insertion oblique; pappus sometimes 0, usually of (2)-several rows, scale-like to bristly, scabrid to plumose; outer rows (1)-many, all similar, increasing in length towards the centre; innermost row single, usually short, connate or free to base.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Centaurea L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised8
Exotic: Casual2
Total10
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.