Centaurea melitensis
System : Terrestrial
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliopsida
Asterales
Asteraceae
  • General
  • Distribution
  • Impact
  • Management
  • Bibliography
  • Contact
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  • Centaurea melitensis (Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, USGS)
  • Centaurea melitensis (Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, USGS)
  • Centaurea melitensis (Photo: � John M Randall/The Nature Conservancy)
  • Centaurea melitensis (Photo: � John M Randall/The Nature Conservancy)
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Common name
Abremanos (Spanish), Malteser Flockenblume (German), Napa thistle (English), Maltese star thistle (English), Croix de Malte (French), tocalote (English)
Synonym
Similar species
Centaurea solstitialis, Centaurea sulphurea
Summary
Centaurea melitensis is a herb of the family Asteraceae. C. melitensis is native to Africa and Europe and was introduced to the United States. It is a highly competitive species that forms dense, impenetrable stands that displaces native and desirable vegetation. C. melitensis usually invades open, disturbed sites and is often spread by humans and livestock via transportation of contaminated crop seed or hay.
Uses
Centaurea melitensis is used for medicinal purposes in Spain.
Pathway
Human influences, including vehicles, contaminated crop seed or hay, road maintenance, and moving livestock, can also contribute to rapid and long distance spread of the seeds (DiTomaso, 2001).

Principal source:

Compiler: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

Review:

Publication date: 2010-06-15

Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Centaurea melitensis. Downloaded from http://iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=264 on 22-12-2024.

General Impacts
When star thistle infestations are high, native species can experience drought conditions even in years with normal rainfall (Gerlach et al., 1998, in DiTomaso, 2001). It has also been observed to significantly reduce the seed production of the 'Threatened' San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) (E. Bauder, unpublished data, in DiTomaso, 2001).
Countries (or multi-country features) with distribution records for Centaurea melitensis
ALIEN RANGE
NATIVE RANGE
  • algeria
  • ex-yugoslavia
  • france
  • greece
  • italy
  • libyan arab jamahiriya
  • morocco
  • portugal
  • spain
  • tunisia
Informations on Centaurea melitensis has been recorded for the following locations. Click on the name for additional informations.
Lorem Ipsum
Location Status Invasiveness Occurrence Source
Details of Centaurea melitensis in information
Status
Invasiveness
Arrival date
Occurrence
Source
Introduction
Species notes for this location
Location note
Management notes for this location
Impact
Mechanism:
Outcome:
Ecosystem services:
Impact information
When star thistle infestations are high, native species can experience drought conditions even in years with normal rainfall (Gerlach et al., 1998, in DiTomaso, 2001). It has also been observed to significantly reduce the seed production of the 'Threatened' San Diego thornmint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) (E. Bauder, unpublished data, in DiTomaso, 2001).
Red List assessed species 0:
Management information
Locations
UNITED STATES
Management Category
Prevention
Bibliography
6 references found for Centaurea melitensis

Management information
General information
CONABIO. 2008. Sistema de informaci�n sobre especies invasoras en M�xico. Especies invasoras - Plantas. Comisi�n Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. Fecha de acceso.
Summary: English:
The species list sheet for the Mexican information system on invasive species currently provides information related to Scientific names, family, group and common names, as well as habitat, status of invasion in Mexico, pathways of introduction and links to other specialised websites. Some of the higher risk species already have a direct link to the alert page. It is important to notice that these lists are constantly being updated, please refer to the main page (http://www.conabio.gob.mx/invasoras/index.php/Portada), under the section Novedades for information on updates.
Invasive species - Plants is available from: http://www.conabio.gob.mx/invasoras/index.php/Especies_invasoras_-_Plantas [Accessed 30 July 2008]
Spanish:
La lista de especies del Sistema de informaci�n sobre especies invasoras de m�xico cuenta actualmente con informaci�n aceca de nombre cient�fico, familia, grupo y nombre com�n, as� como h�bitat, estado de la invasi�n en M�xico, rutas de introducci�n y ligas a otros sitios especializados. Algunas de las especies de mayor riesgo ya tienen una liga directa a la p�gina de alertas. Es importante resaltar que estas listas se encuentran en constante proceso de actualizaci�n, por favor consulte la portada (http://www.conabio.gob.mx/invasoras/index.php/Portada), en la secci�n novedades, para conocer los cambios.
Especies invasoras - Plantas is available from: http://www.conabio.gob.mx/invasoras/index.php/Especies_invasoras_-_Plantas [Accessed 30 July 2008]
ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), 2004. Online Database Centaurea melitensis
Summary: An online database that provides taxonomic information, common names, synonyms and geographical jurisdiction of a species. In addition links are provided to retrieve biological records and collection information from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Data Portal and bioscience articles from BioOne journals.
Available from: http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=36965 [Accessed December 31 2004]
USDA-ARS, 2010. Taxon: Centaurea melitensis L. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network. [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
Summary: Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?centaurea+melitensis [Accessed June 15 2010].
USDA-NRCS, 2010. Centaurea melitensis. The PLANTS Database Version 3.5 [Online Database] National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
Summary: Available from: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?mode=Scientific+Name&keywordquery=Centaurea+melitensis&go.x=8&go.y=6 [Accessed 27 March 2006].
Contact
The following 0 contacts offer information an advice on Centaurea melitensis
Centaurea melitensis
Abremanos, Malteser Flockenblume, Napa thistle, Maltese star thistle, Croix de Malte, tocalote
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Recommended citation
(2024). Centaurea melitensis. IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT).