Common name: Blessed Thistle
Centaurea benedicta (L.) L. APNI* Synonyms: Cnicus benedictus L. APNI*
Description: Stem 10–60 cm, cobwebby, striate, branched or with sessile heads and a rosette of leaves.
Leaves pinnatifid, oblong in outline, margins spinose, cobwebby, prominently white-veined on lower surface; basal leaves up to 30 cm long and 8 cm wide, petiolate; cauline leaves much smaller and sessile, base stem-clasping, lamina often decurrent on stem for 10 mm or more.
Heads 15–35 mm diam.
Achenes c. 8 mm long, brown; pappus stiff, outer bristles c. 10 mm long.
Flowering: spring–summer.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows south from the Leeton area. Native of Medit. region.
NSW subdivisions: *SWS, *SWP
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic.
Text by L.. Murray; modified A. Orme, Dec 2022.
Taxon concept: Flora of Australia Vol. 37 (2015)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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