Starthistle flower heads: Malta (Centaurea melitensis) (left), Sicilian (C. sulphurea) (middle two), and yellow (C. solstitialis) (right).

Four starthistle plants with bright yellow flowers with spiky projections around each bloom against a blue background. Copyright information is at the bottom (Joseph M. DiTomaso, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Copyright 2026 Regents, University of California). Credit: Joseph M. DiTomaso, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Credit: Joseph M. DiTomaso, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources