American Basket-Flower
Centaurea americana
Asteraceae
Other names
American Star-Thistle, Basket-Flower, Star Thistle, Shaving Brush, Basket Flower
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Annual
Native distribution
S.W. MO & E. KS, S. to LA, E. AZ & N. Mex.
Location
Source of plant
Select Seeds
Description
American basket-flower is a 1 1/2-5 ft. annual with a stout, leafy, much-branched stem and lavender-pink, filamentous flower heads with cream-colored centers. The flower heads are 4-5 in. wide and are subtended by fringed bracts. The plant looks similar to the thistles but lacks their prickly characteristicsThe name basket flower refers to the stiff, straw-colored bracts just beneath the flower head, which are divided at the tip into long, sharp teeth.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5