Maltese Cockspur

Maltese Cockspur.

Common name

Maltese Cockspur

Scientific Name

Centaurea melitensis

Type of plant

Daisies & Thistles (Family Asteraceae)

About this weed

This weed is widely spread from Carnarvon in the north to across the Nullarbor as well as in local urban bushland.  It was originally a native of the Mediterranean Region.

Description

The plant grows to about 1 metre high and bears yellow thistle-like flowers with reddish tipped bracts below the flower head. It can be either an annual or biennial and flowers in late spring and summer.

Impact on Bushland

If left will spread over bushland and impact on ecological processes and plant communities.

Location

Widely distributed across the Eremaean and South-West Provinces. It is a weed of roadsides, cultivated areas & other disturbed areas.

Priority for removal

High: a major threat to the conservation values of both the Eremaean and South-West Provinces.

Management (hand)

Not available.

Management (herbicide)

Not available.

Flowering month/s

January, February, March, September, October, November, December

Flower colour/s

Yellow

Information source

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7916

Additional information

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.

Maltese Cockspur images


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Location

Urban Bushland Council WA Inc

2 Delhi Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

(08) 9420 7207 (please leave a message)

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