star thistle

or star-thistle

noun

1. any of several naturalized Eurasian plants of the genus Centaurea, especially C. calcitrapa, having purplish, spiny flower heads.

star thistle

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Centaurea , esp C. calcitrapa , of Eurasia, which has spiny purplish flower heads: family Asteraceae (composites) See also centaury

Word History and Origins

Origin of star thistle¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of star thistle¹

C16: so called because it has a thistle-shaped flower surrounded by radiating spines

Example Sentences

They are the yellow-flowered centaury, the mountain centaury, the star thistle and the rough centaury: the first predominates.

From Project Gutenberg

What is known as the purple star thistle was named for Chiron the Centaur.

From Project Gutenberg